Can weight loss surgery prevent womb cancer?

ANI  |  Washington D.C. [USA] 

for obese women could prevent womb cancer, suggests a study.

The study found that the precancerous tissue - in the womb of women who had gastric sleeve or bypass for - reverted to normal tissue when they lost weight.

Doctors have long known that womb is caused by obesity, however, until now, the effect of losing weight on precancerous changes in the womb has been poorly studied.

Seventy-two women with an average BMI of over 50 - considered to be super obese - had biopsies taken from their wombs during gastric sleeve or bypass

Of the 72, four were found to have womb cancer, which was treated by A further six patients had atypical endometrial hyperplasia, a that causes the overgrowth of cells in the womb.

Of the six women with endometrial hyperplasia, three had no signs of the condition when re-tested at eight weeks, after losing around three stone in weight.

The remaining three were treated by a Mirena coil, which releases the hormone progesterone into the womb and reverses precancerous changes. Two were shown to be free of the condition after six months.

Six monthly checks over four years revealed the precancerous tissue did not return for these five women; the last had a

The remaining 62 women had normal womb tissue at the time of surgery, but it was high risk for an abnormality, with fast growing cells, cancer-causing pathways switched on and cancer-stopping pathways switched off.

By twelve months after surgery, when the women had lost around seven stone in weight, the high risk changes had reversed.

Dr Emma Crosbie, of the study, said: "We know that super obese women are at much higher risk of womb than normal weight women. But we didn't expect such a high proportion of women having treatment for their to have and pre-cancer they didn't know about."

"Thanks to this study, we now know that helping obese women to lose weight can reverse pre-cancerous tissue changes. It's clear that for super obese women, quick access to surgery has benefits beyond improving and risk of It can also reduce risk."

"Losing weight through dieting is also likely to be effective, but we know that dieting is very hard to do and weight lost is often re-gained."

Obese post-menopausal women produce oestrogen from their fat stores. But as they no longer ovulate, the lack of progesterone allows the cells in the womb to grow - which increases the risk of cancer.

and insulin production are also changed in obese women and can cause cells in the womb to grow.

"Because the reversal of precancerous changes in the womb was so quick, we think the metabolic consequences of was crucial," explained Dr Crosbie.

She added: "Not that is an easy choice. It changes your relationship with forever, as you'll be eating smaller meals more frequently, and it is important to remember that surgery can be a hazardous procedure.

"That's why it's not for everyone: only about a third of women choose the surgical option. But for those that choose it, gastric sleeve or can now be seen as a preventative measure for

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Fri, October 26 2018. 12:47 IST