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A new study links higher residential radon levels with increased rates of ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women.<\/p>\n
Radon, a colorless, odorless gas, is already known as the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.<\/p>\n
Experts say there are things you can do to reduce your exposure to radon, such as installing a radon reduction system or sealing the foundation of your house.<\/p>\n
While ovarian cancer is a serious and potentially deadly disease, scientists haven\u2019t identified a single cause for it. But new research suggests that there\u2019s a surprising factor that should be considered when it comes to ovarian cancer cases\u2014in post-menopausal women, at least.<\/p>\n
The latest research, published in JAMA Network Open<\/a>, suggests that exposure to radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, may be linked to some ovarian cancer cases.<\/p>\n What\u2019s behind the link and, more importantly, how can you lower your exposure? We tapped three cancer experts for more insight.<\/p>\n Meet the experts: Shannon Westin, MD, MPH,<\/a> professor in Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Abdulrahman Sinno, MD<\/a>, chief of gynecologic oncology with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Health System; and Khadijah A. Mitchell, PhD,<\/a> an assistant professor in the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center.<\/p>\n What is radon?<\/p>\n Radon is a radioactive gas that forms when radioactive metals such as uranium or radium break down in rocks, soil, and groundwater, according to the Environmental Protection Agency<\/a> (EPA).<\/p>\n People are usually exposed to radon by breathing in air that enters buildings and homes through cracks and gaps, per the EPA. It\u2019s tricky to avoid since radon is naturally present in the earth, meaning there\u2019s always some exposure to it. You can\u2019t see or smell radon, and living in certain parts of the U.S.<\/a> may pose a higher risk than others.<\/p>\n Radon has previously been identified as a cause of lung cancer. It is considered the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers<\/a>, followed by secondhand smoke.<\/p>\n What did the study find?<\/p>\n Researchers analyzed data from 127,547 postmenopausal women who participated in the Women\u2019s Health Initiative. The women were followed for up to 31 years. The team linked the participants\u2019 home addresses to US Geological Survey data<\/a>, which breaks down radon levels by zone. It\u2019s important to note that the radon levels studied were based on geographic zones rather than individualized measurements of each woman\u2019s home.<\/p>\n During the study period, 1,645 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 1,048 died of the disease.<\/p>\n They found that women in areas where radon levels were high\u2014defined as exceeding 4 picocuries per liter (pCi\/L)\u2014had a significantly higher risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer compared to women in low radon zones (defined as less than 2 pCi\/L). This link was especially strong for a form of ovarian cancer called serous ovarian cancer. Women living in high radon areas had a 38 percent higher relative risk of being diagnosed with this type of cancer.<\/p>\n The risk of dying from ovarian cancer was also 31 percent higher in women who lived in high radon areas. \u201cThis is the first epidemiologic study of radon and ovarian cancer among postmenopausal women to date, and its findings suggest a potential target for mitigating cancer risk,\u201d the researchers wrote in the study\u2019s conclusion.<\/p>\n How might radon cause ovarian cancer?<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to note that the study didn\u2019t find that high radon exposure caused ovarian cancer in these women, but rather, found a link. We don\u2019t know what\u2019s exactly behind the link, but experts have a few theories.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen [radon] decays, it produces particles that can damage DNA\u2014especially double-strand breaks, one of the most harmful types of damage,\u201d explains Khadijah A. Mitchell, PhD,<\/a> an assistant professor in the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center. \u201cCancer often develops when DNA damage accumulates over time and repair systems fail.\u201d<\/p>\n Some researchers also hypothesize that radon could influence hormonal pathways as an endocrine disruptor. The gas may be absorbed into the blood and increase levels of estrogen in your body, which then may drive ovarian cancer, says Shannon Westin, MD, MPH,<\/a> professor in Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.<\/p>\n How to lower your risk of exposure<\/p>\n You have a few potential options here. If you live in a high-radon area, you can technically move. But that\u2019s not feasible or desirable for most people.<\/p>\n You can also have your home tested for radon levels. \u201cRadon is invisible and odorless, so you won\u2019t know it\u2019s there unless you measure it,\u201d Mitchell points out.<\/p>\n
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