THURSDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Most women are not aware of the relationship between endometrial cancer risk and obesity, and patient education interventions are needed, according to an article in the October issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Pamela T. Soliman, M.D., of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and colleagues examined whether women in the general community were aware of the relationship between obesity and cancer risk, and identified specific groups that might be targeted for educational programs. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire and logistic regression was used to predict knowledge.
Of the 1,545 women completing the questionnaire, 28 percent were normal weight, 24 percent were overweight and 45 percent were obese, the researchers report. While 58 percent of participants were not aware of the relationship between obesity and increased risk for endometrial cancer, no significant differences were noted in knowledge of endometrial cancer risk based on multivariable analysis of demographic characteristics. The investigators did find that black women were more likely to report lack of knowledge on the relationship between obesity and cancer.
"Based on our findings, there is a significant lack of awareness of the relationship between obesity and cancer risk and, particularly, endometrial cancer risk," the authors conclude. "Although an effective intervention still needs to be developed, obstetrician-gynecologists should start by educating their patients about the risk of cancer associated with obesity."
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