| Abstract: | The role of ovarian function is reviewed with reference to breast,female genital tract neoplasms, and ischaemic heart disease.The risk of breast cancer is increased by early menarche, latemenopause and regular menstrual cycles. The associations observedare modest, but are still consistent with an unfavourable effectof ovarian function on breast cancer risk. Ovarian cancer ispossibly related to early menarche and associated with latemenopause. A protective effect has been observed with irregularmenstrual cycles and oral contraceptive use. Ovulation has beenrelated to ovarian cancer risk in terms of the multistage modelof carcinogenesis, although the biological process appears morecomplex. Endometrial cancer risk is increased by early menarche,late menopause, nulliparity, and in premenopausal women obesity. The risk of endometrial cancer is increasedby oestrogens and decreased by progestins. Thus, anovulationincreases endometrial cancer risk. Ischaemic heart disease isnot related to age at menarche, but is associated with earlymenopause. Irregular menstrual cycles may also inaease the risk.The impact of ovulation on cardiovascular disease should beviewed with reference to the different role of oestrogens (protective)and progestins (possible adverse). Other hormone imbalances(e.g., hyperandrogenaemia) may also be related to ischaemicheart diseases. |
