Contraceptive Pill May Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risk, New Study Finds

New research from the University of South Australia suggests that the contraceptive pill could reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. The study, which used artificial intelligence to analyze data from over 220,000 women, found that women who had ever used the pill had a 26 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer. For those who used it after age 45, the risk was reduced by 43 percent.

Dr. Amanda Lumsden, lead researcher, noted that ovarian cancer is often diagnosed late, leading to a five-year survival rate of less than 30 percent. Early detection dramatically improves survival, making understanding risk factors critical. The study also found that factors like giving birth to two or more children, lower body weight, and certain biomarkers in the blood were associated with a lower risk.

Artificial intelligence helped identify key risk factors that might have been overlooked, including blood measures taken years before diagnosis. "This suggests that early detection of ovarian cancer could be possible through blood tests," said Dr. Iqbal Madakkatel, a machine learning expert involved in the study. The team hopes their findings could help develop preventive strategies, such as using the pill to reduce ovulations or addressing obesity, to lower ovarian cancer risk. More research is needed to confirm these approaches.

This study, supported by the MRFF, emphasizes the potential of AI in cancer research and its role in identifying early-stage risks for improved outcomes.

Note: This news summary was generated by AI based on a published press release, followed by a review from human editors.