Women without regular medical care

In North America, ovary cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer and is the leading cause of death among women with gynecological cancer. The high mortality is in part due to the difficulty of detecting and diagnosing this condition at an early stage.

In this case-control study, Abenhaim and his colleagues examined whether the frequency of medical visits and pelvic examinations and the type of health care provider visited had an effect on the risk of ovary cancer. They observed that women who did not have an annual medical visit or pelvic examination and who had no regular health care provider were at an increased risk of ovary cancer. This risk was most pronounced among postmenopausal women. Eventhough the study could not determine whether women who sought regular health care and had a regular doctor were at a decreased risk of ovary cancer, the most prudent recommendation is that women, particularly those who are postmenopausal, should be encouraged to maintain regular health care.


Posted by: Emily    Source