Women with This Common Condition Face Higher Risk of Gynaecological Cancer: Systematic Review Finds - Video

Women with metabolic syndrome face a significantly higher risk of developing gynaecological cancers, according to a new systematic review published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, the official journal of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The study, conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH) in Mumbai, highlights the urgent need for preventive strategies targeting metabolic syndrome to reduce cancer risk in women.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The team reviewed multiple global studies to assess the association between this syndrome and the incidence of five major gynaecological cancers: ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer.

Lead author Dr Susan Idicula-Thomas from NIRRCH explained, “The pathophysiology from the research papers reviewed established a clear link.” The data showed that women with metabolic syndrome had a 26% higher risk of cervical cancer and a 45% higher risk of endometrial cancer over time, compared to those without the syndrome. Co-author Denny John from MS Ramaiah University, Bengaluru, added that women with metabolic syndrome have "three times the odds of developing ovarian cancer compared to those who do not have it."

While the study is based on a global review and couldn’t include any Indian studies due to limitations in inclusion criteria and data quality, the authors emphasized the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in India affecting nearly 30% of the population, with higher rates in women (35%) than in men (26%).

“Metabolic syndrome is an epidemic in both urban and rural populations. The cancer rate is also increasing,” Dr Idicula-Thomas noted. “If these conditions are linked as our review has shown, the fact that metabolic syndrome is preventable in many cases means primary prevention will help prevent both.”

Reference: Kundu I, John D, Ansari I, Pavithran K, Idicula-Thomas S. Risk of gynaecologic cancers in women with metabolic syndrome: A systematic review & meta-analysis. Indian J Med Res. 2025 Aug;162:197-210.