Are Mesothelioma and Ovarian Cancer Connected?
The more you know.
Asbestos is a dangerous attacker if only because it infiltrates the body without detection. It’s invisible to the naked eye and is just about everywhere — in homes, schools, and businesses. Asbestos is even in the air we breathe and the ground we walk on.
It’s also a major health risk because it causes many different diseases, notably cancers. Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer, which are two of the most well-known diseases linked to asbestos exposure.
A recent study suggests there’s another cancer linked to the carcinogen — which may explain the correlation between that cancer and a type of mesothelioma.
An article on the Journal of Women’s Health connects asbestos exposure to ovarian cancer. The article also ties the cancer to peritoneal mesothelioma: Areas with high incidence rates also had higher-than-usual rates of ovarian cancer.
What Is Peritoneal Mesothelioma, What Is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer forms on the ovaries, which is located in the abdominal cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is common in females, forms in the lining that surrounds the abdominal cavity. Therefore, there is a logical connection based on proximity in the body.
Asbestos can be inhaled or ingested, and the manner may determine which type of cancer (or cancers) you’ll get. When people inhale asbestos, the mineral is likely to travel into the lungs or lodge into the pleura, which lines the lung cavity. Inhaling asbestos is connected to both lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma.
When swallowed and ingested, the fibers more naturally travel to the abdominal region of the body. Ingesting asbestos is linked to peritoneal mesothelioma — and ovarian cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
A study on incidence rates for peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian cancer even backs up the connection between the two conditions.
Geographical Link Between Mesothelioma and Ovarian Cancer
According to the article in the Journal of Women’s Health, which analyzed data from 2003-2015, mesothelioma incidence ranged between 0.5 and 1.3 cases per 100,000 U.S. residents. In other words, there is close to one case for every 100,000 people in the country.
By comparison, there are between nine and 12 ovarian cancer cases per 100,000 females in the country. Comparing the states with the highest and lowest rates reveals discrepancies. The ones with the highest incidence had a 10% increase in ovarian cancer. This figure equates to a 10,000-woman difference for every 100,000 females.
“Data from state cancer registries show ovarian cancer incidence was positively correlated with mesothelioma incidence,” lead author S. Jane Henley wrote, “suggesting asbestos may be a common exposure.”
The trend continued in 2016, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Montana, Maine, and Idaho had incidence rates of 1.4, 1.4 and 1.3, respectively. Those three states had the highest rates in that year — and all three had ovarian cancer rates higher than the national average.
Same Cause?
Ovarian cancer and peritoneal mesothelioma have many similarities, and they may even have the same cause: asbestos exposure. If you have symptoms of these two cancers, talk to a doctor as soon as possible. Once diagnosed, get a second opinion to ensure you receive proper treatment.
If you’d like to contact a specialist, we can help. Our patient advocate and registered nurse, Jenna Campagna, is available by email at jenna@mesotheliomaguide.com to answer any questions.
About the Writer, Devin Golden
Devin Golden is the content writer for Mesothelioma Guide. He produces mesothelioma-related content on various mediums, including the Mesothelioma Guide website and social media channels. Devin’s objective is to translate complex information regarding mesothelioma into informative, easily absorbable content to help patients and their loved ones.
