International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

An increased risk of lung cancer could be one of the side effects of premature menopause caused by medical interventions.

According to a new study published in the International Journal of Cancer, women who experience non-natural menopause may be almost twice as likely to develop the condition as other women.

Research conducted by the University of Montreal's Department of Social and Preventive Medicine indicated that where ovary removal had brought about the menopause, the lung cancer risk is particularly heightened.

Professor Jack Siemiatycki, who worked on the study, said non-natural menopause, particularly surgical, may lead to greater risks because vulnerability to lung cancer is caused by an early and sudden decrease in oestrogenlevels.

He added that the long-term use of hormone replacement therapy could potentially have the same effect, but further research was needed to explore such hypotheses.

According to Woman's Weekly, women going through the menopause can make life more comfortable by eating the right foods.