Climate change arms the world, ovarian cancer pulls the trigger.It's time we disarm them both

Climate change, driven by human activities, leads to environmental changes such as rising temperatures, altered weather patterns, and increased pollution.

- Dr. Alka Rajput

These changes can worsen health problems; cancer is one of the outrageous health concerns. For instance, higher temperatures and heatwaves can lead to increased exposure to harmful UV radiation and pollutants, which are known risk factors for various cancers, including ovarian cancer. This article will provide evidence of how the climate crisis is causing ovarian cancer imperatively.

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancerous tumor that starts in different cells within the ovary, a crucial part of the female reproductive system. Various forms include epithelial, germ cell, stromal tumors, and primary peritoneal cancer. Around 300,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, making ovarian cancer a significant public health issue because of its high death rate. It ranks as the eighth most common cause of cancer mortality for women's globally, leading to around 185,000 deaths annually.

Incidence and mortality of ovarian cancer differ depending on the region, with higher-income countries showing higher incidence rates. Risk factors for ovarian cancer can be influenced by genetics, family history, reproductive history, hormone replacement therapy, and lifestyle decisions. Climate change identified by prolonged alterations in Earth's climate system, primarily caused by a rise in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. It is crucial to understand the connection between climate change and public health, which also includes possible effects on the epidemiology of ovarian cancer. This study looks to examine the potential links between climatic change and epidemiology of ovarian cancer, delving into the impact of increasing temperatures and heat waves on ovarian cancer incidence and prognosis.