Ovarian cancer risk linked to missing bacteria
Posted 06 August 2019 - 08:00
Lower levels of a protective bacteria put women at greater risk of developing ovarian cancer, a study suggests
Women at high risk of developing ovarian cancer have lower levels of protective ‘friendly’ vaginal bacteria, as do women diagnosed with the disease, a study suggests.
Changes in the number of healthy bacteria, called lactobacilli, which normally help prevent overgrowth of other ‘unfriendly’ types of bacteria, can be used to build a clearer picture of a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer, according to the study, led by University College London’s EGA Institute for Women’s Health.
Women with ovarian cancer had a significant reduction in vaginal lactobacilli, the researchers found. This reduction was also seen in women with a 40 times higher risk of developing ovarian cancer in
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