Tag: Women

Does the use of Cosmetic and Deodorant Powder in Genital areas increase risk of Ovarian cancer ?

Some women apply powder to their private area, either through direct application or on underwear, sanitary napkins, diaphragms or tampons.

Some studies have previously raised the concern that this deodorant powder, particularly talc powder, can increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

A high quality study looked at the “Association of Powder Use in the Genital Area With Risk of Ovarian Cancer“.

The study findings are reassuring.

The study found no major significant association between use of powder in the genital area and ovarian cancer.

References

Association of Powder Use in the Genital Area With Risk of Ovarian Cancer. Katie M. O’Brien, PhD; Shelley S. Tworoger, PhD; Holly R. Harris, ScD; et al. JAMA. 2020;323(1):49-59. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.20079

Penninkilampi  R, Eslick  GD.  Perineal talc use and ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  Epidemiology. 2018;29(1):41-49. doi:10.1097/EDE.0000000000000745

Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is purely for information only and do check the the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you.

The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is not necessarily endorsed by any organisation the author is associated with and views are not substitute for professional advice.

Anxiety and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS or Irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition. Lot of people with IBS also have Anxiety problems.

So it was not known whether anxiety by itself causes the IBS.

A recent study suggests Anxiety and IBS coexist due to genetic abnormalities. Anxiety by itself does not seem to lead to someone developing IBS.

This large U.K. study involving 53,400 cases and 433,201 controls suggests that genes that alter brain–gut interactions may be responsible for IBS.

On the other hand, the overall likelihood of an individual developing IBS due to genes passed down the family seems low.

So with IBS, lot of things about it continue to remain a mystery. How IBS starts and how it progresses is still mostly unknown. Hopefully, future research will clarify things.

BBC News. Anxiety link to irritable bowel syndrome seen in DNA – research
By Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online

University of Cambridge. Large-scale genetic study reveals new clues for the shared origins of irritable bowel syndrome and mental health disorders

Eijsbouts, C et al. Genome-wide analysis of 53,400 people with irritable bowel syndrome highlights shared genetic pathways with mood and anxiety disorders. Nature Genetics; 5 Nov 2021; DOI: 10.1038/s41588-021-00950-8

Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.