Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer in South America - A Literature Review - Overview

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Miles

Background/Objectives: In 2020, ovarian cancer ranked fourth globally among gynecological cancers and remains the deadliest for women’s health. Earlier detection improves survival, yet effective early detection methods are limited. This review aims to summarize South America–specific risk factors, focusing on social determinants, genetic contributions, and comorbidities. Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar searches used MeSH descriptors and keywords including BRCA1 genes, BRCA2 genes, Latin America, and ovarian neoplasms. Inclusion prioritized original studies from the last five years involving South American women. Results: Studies from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru addressed genetic factors, health status at diagnosis, and sociodemographic variables, highlighting evidence gaps, especially regarding contraception and hormone replacement therapy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Rationale and global burden

Heterogeneity of ovarian cancer

Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors

Abstract

Background/Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Review Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer in South America: A Literature Review Sergio Jara-Rosales 1,2,†, Roxana González-Stegmaier 3,†, Elena S. Rotarou 2,4 and Franz Villarroel-Espíndola 2,3, * Citation: Jara-Rosales, S.; GonzálezStegmaier, R.; Rotarou, E.S.; VillarroelEspíndola, F. Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer in South America: A Literature Review. J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14, 992. [https://doi.org/10.3390/](https://doi.org/10.3390/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.3390/)jpm14090992 Academic Editor: Konstantinos Stamatakis Received: 31 July 2024 Revised: 10 September 2024 Accepted: 16 September 2024 Published: 18 September 2024 1 Faculty of Health Care Sciences, School of Midwifery, Universidad San Sebastián, Los Leones Campus, Santiago 7510157, Chile; [sergio.jara@uss.cl](sergio.jara@uss.cl) 2 Doctorate Program in Chronic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Science, Universidad San Sebastián, Los Leones Campus, Santiago 7510157, Chile; [elena.rotarou@uss.cl](elena.rotarou@uss.cl) 3 Translational Medicine Laboratory, Instituto Oncológico Fundación Arturo López Pérez, Santiago 7500921, Chile; [roxana.gonzalez@falp.org](roxana.gonzalez@falp.org) 4 Faculty of Medicine and Science, Universidad San Sebastián, Los Leones Campus, Santiago 7510157, Chile * Correspondence: [franz.villarroel@falp.org](franz.villarroel@falp.org) † These authors contributed equally to this work. Abstract: Background/Objectives: In 2020, ovarian cancer ranked fourth in global incidence among gynecological cancers and remains the deadliest cancer affecting women’s health. Survival rates are significantly higher when the disease is detected at early stages; however, the lack of effective early detection methods underscores the importance of identifying risk factors in order to implement preventive strategies. The objective of this work is to provide an overview of the risk factors of ovarian cancer in South America, emphasizing those linked to social determinants, genetic components, and comorbidities. Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar. MeSH descriptors and keywords, such as “BRCA1 genes,” “BRCA2 genes”,“Latin America”, and“ovarian neoplasms” were used, along with terms related to socioeconomic and health factors. Inclusion criteria focused on original studies published in the last five years involving South American women. Results: Studies were identified from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. These studies addressed genetic factors, health status at diagnosis, and sociodemographic factors, revealing important data gaps, particularly on contraception and hormone replacement therapy. The prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in South America is estimated to be 15–20% among women with inherited risk factors. Social, demographic and economic factors vary by country, although commonalities include a higher prevalence among women over 50 years of age, those with limited education, and those who face barriers to accessing health care. Conclusions: Although the literature does not conclusively establish a direct link between obesity and/or diabetes and the development of ovarian cancer, the indirect association highlights the need for further clinical studies. A general research gap related to risk factors of ovarian cancer could be observed in the South American region. Keywords: ovarian cancer; risk factors; BRCA1 and BRCA2; obesity; South America Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . 1. Introduction In 2020, ovarian cancer ranked fourth in incidence among gynecological cancers worldwide, following breast cancer, cervical cancer, and uterine cancer [1] . In ter

FAQs

What is the main objective of the literature review?

To provide an overview of risk factors for ovarian cancer in South America, emphasizing those linked to social determinants, genetic components, and comorbidities.

Which databases and search terms were used to identify studies?

The review searched PubMed and Google Scholar, using MeSH descriptors and keywords such as BRCA1 genes, BRCA2 genes, Latin America, and ovarian neoplasms, along with terms related to socioeconomic and health factors.

What key findings were reported about genetic risk in South America?

The prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in South America is estimated at 15–20% among women with inherited risk factors.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Miles