The contraceptive pill, primarily known for its role in preventing pregnancy, may also offer protection against ovarian cancer, according to recent findings from the University of South Australia (UniSA). A study led by the university suggests that the oral contraceptive pill could reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 26% in women who have used it at any point in their lives. The benefit is even more pronounced in women who took the pill after the age of 45, with a 43% reduction in risk.
The research also uncovered several other potential risk factors for ovarian cancer, using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze data from a large cohort of women. Among these factors were biomarkers related to red blood cells, certain liver enzymes, and physical characteristics like lower body weight and shorter stature, which were associated with a reduced risk. Additionally, women who had given birth to two or more children saw a 39% lower risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to those without children.
These findings, released ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, highlight the potential for AI-driven approaches in early diagnosis and risk assessment of ovarian cancer, a disease that remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women.
In Australia, ovarian cancer ranks as the tenth most common cancer among women and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In 2023, 1,786 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and 1,050 women died from the disease.
Dr. Amanda Lumsden, a researcher at UniSA, emphasized the importance of understanding risk factors and preventive measures for ovarian cancer. “Ovarian cancer is notoriously diagnosed at a late stage, with approximately 70% of cases identified when they are already quite advanced,” Dr. Lumsden said. “Late detection contributes to a survival rate of less than 30% over five years, compared to more than 90% for cancers caught early.”
She added, “Our research suggests that the oral contraceptive pill may help lower ovarian cancer risk. Women who used it in their mid-40s had an even more substantial reduction in risk. This raises the question of whether reducing ovulations could be a target for ovarian cancer prevention strategies.”
The study, supported by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), used AI to analyze data from 221,732 women aged 37 to 73, collected from the UK Biobank. Dr. Iqbal Madakkatel, a machine learning specialist at UniSA, noted that the study demonstrates the potential of AI to uncover hidden risk factors. “By incorporating nearly 3,000 variables related to health, lifestyle, and hormonal factors, we were able to identify early predictors of ovarian cancer risk. This could lead to tests for early detection,” he explained.
Professor Elina Hyppönen, the project lead, expressed excitement over the study’s findings. “Our data-driven analyses have revealed important risk factors for ovarian cancer, and there is potential to use this information for prevention and earlier detection,” she said. “By reducing ovulations through contraceptive use or addressing harmful body fat, we may be able to lower ovarian cancer risk. However, more research is needed to refine these prevention strategies and identify the women most at risk.”
While the study’s findings are promising, the researchers emphasize the need for further investigation to establish the most effective prevention methods and early detection tools for ovarian cancer.
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