Polycystic ovary syndrome increases the risk of uterine and ovarian malignancies: Study

A new study published in the International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics showed that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) increased the total risk of cancer by 16%. Women between the ages of 20 and 29 had a modestly increased risk of thyroid cancer, ovarian cancer was 77% higher, and uterine cancer was almost 5-times higher. The risk of breast cancer did not change. It emphasizes how important it is to monitor this group specifically.

Hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology are the hallmarks of PCOS, a prevalent endocrine condition in women of reproductive age. Beyond its effects on reproduction, PCOS is linked to metabolic disorders including obesity, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation that may make people more vulnerable to several types of cancer. According to epidemiological research, women with PCOS may be at higher risk for endometrial, ovarian, and perhaps breast malignancies. The underlying processes are complex and include metabolic malfunction, protracted anovulation, and hormonal imbalance.

National health examination and insurance data from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2020, were utilized in this retrospective cohort analysis. Women between the ages of 20 and 50 who had health examinations or went to medical facilities for PCOS were included. There were 774 811 participants in all. There were 563 850 patients in the non-PCOS group and 127 980 in the PCOS group. Following a 1:1 propensity score match, there were 127 712 people in each group. All cancer types linked to PCOS were assessed for hazard ratios across age groups.

There were no appreciable differences in the clinical and demographic characteristics of women with and without PCOS. Nonetheless, the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers increased in the PCOS group (hazard ratio: 1.774, 95% CI: 1.142-2.755, P = 0.011, respectively) and the overall cancer risk increased (hazard ratio: 1.156, 95% CI: 1.058-1.263, P = 0.001).

Within the PCOS group, the 20–29 age group had a higher incidence of thyroid cancer (hazard ratio: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.009-1.427, P = 0.039). Overall, a higher risk of ovarian and uterine malignancies is linked to PCOS. PCOS was linked to a higher incidence of thyroid carcinoma in those aged 20 to 29. Nevertheless, no connection between PCOS and breast cancer was discovered.

Source:

Yuk, J.-S., Noh, J. H., Han, G. H., Yoon, S. H., & Kim, M. (2025). Risk of cancers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: Cohort study based on health insurance database in South Korea. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics: The Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, ijgo.70560. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.70560