 The
onset of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can bring about conditions that are also central to an
environment which encourages the creation of cancer.
Women with PCOS often have elevated cholesterol levels, hypertension (high
blood pressure) and obesity-linked Insulin Resistance. The latter disorder
is an underlying cause of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which affects an
estimated 5-10% of all women of childbearing age and is one of the leading
causes of infertility.
Characterized by multiple abnormal ovarian cysts, PCOS
symptoms include high levels of insulin which stimulate the ovaries
to produce large amounts of the male hormone testosterone. This can prevent
the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, thus causing infertility.
High testosterone levels can also cause excessive hair growth, male pattern
baldness and acne, classic symptoms of PCOS.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is one of the most common endocrine (or hormonal)
disorders. Also known as Polycystic Ovarian Disease (POD), it is characterized
by multiple abnormal ovarian cysts. In addition, with PCOS, high levels
of insulin stimulate the ovaries to produce large amounts of testosterone
(a male hormone), which can possibly prevent the ovaries from releasing
an egg each month, thus causing infertility. High testosterone levels can
also cause excessive hair growth, male pattern baldness and acne.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome causes disruptions to the normal menstrual
cycle - irregular menstrual periods and the absence of ovulation cause
women to produce estrogen, but not progesterone. Without progesterone,
which causes the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) to shed each month
as a menstrual period, the endometrium may grow too much and undergo atypical
cell changes. This is a pre-cancerous condition called endometrial hyperplasia.
If the thickened endometrium is not treated, over a long period of time
it can develop into endometrial cancer.
Studies have shown that women who have never been pregnant have up to three
times the risk of developing endometrial cancer, as compared with women
who have had a successful pregnancy. Many women who cannot become pregnant
are anovulatory, meaning they don't ovulate on a regular cycle or sometimes
they don't ovulate at all. PCOS is one of the most common causes of
anovulation. Scientists believe it is the chronic exposure to estrogen
of the endometrial lining that increases the risk of developing endometrial
cancer.
 Another
troubling statistic is that women who are 21 to 50 pounds overweight run
3 times the risk of endometrial cancer, while women who are more than 50
pounds overweight have a ten-fold higher risk. Obesity is often an underlying
symptom of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
The evidence of the adverse effects of obesity, especially abdominal obesity,
is overwhelming and indisputable. Obesity substantially increases the risk
of several major cancers in women, including post-menopausal breast cancer.
Although the link between excess abdominal fat and cancer is not clearly
understood, scientists believe that the higher levels of insulin and glucose
in the blood stream - a hallmark of Insulin Resistance and an underlying
cause of PCOS - somehow stimulate cancer cell growth. In women after menopause
excessive abdominal fat doubles the risk of breast cancer, regardless of
overall weight.
Scientists believe that the components of Insulin Resistance and Polycystic
Ovarian Syndrome - namely hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia (a condition marked
by abnormal concentrations of lipids or lipoproteins in the blood), hypertension
and atherosclerosis - actually favor the growth of breast cancer cells,
creating an environment ripe for the development of this disease. Clinical
and epidemiological evidence suggests that both breast cancer and PCOS
are polygenic and multifactorial in origin, meaning there are a variety
of genes and factors that result in these conditions. While studies are
still on-going, preliminary data suggests that increased levels of insulin
in the blood increase the formation of breast cancer cells.
Nutritional and lifestyle modifications that improve insulin sensitivity
may not only decrease a tendency to atherosclerosis but also reduce breast
cancer risk in women. Studies have shown that a multi-faceted approach
may be necessary to address these conditions - a single pharmaceutical
or even a combination of them, will not eradicate or reverse them. Combining
nutraceuticals (vitamins, herbs and minerals that are disease specific),
a realistic exercise program, nutritional guidance and a support system
that will help you change unhealthy lifestyle choices could help achieve
your wish of returning to optimum health.
Click here to
read about the unique, new Insulite PCOS System, which
can help reverse the symptoms of Insulin Resistance and
obesity-related Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. The system
features several formulations that are scientifically-designed to reverse
weight gain, which has been linked to the onset of some cancers. The Insulite
formulations includes InsulX, which features alpha lipoic acid, which scavenges
cell-damaging free radicals thought to play a role in the onset of some
tumors.
You may be interested in some of our Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs) about PCOS and the Insulite PCOS System.
Click
here to read about PCOS and Inflammation
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