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CANCER RISKS: Researchers have established the risks of different types of ovarian cancer according to whether a woman has children. 

They also found that women who had their fallopian tubes cut during sterilisation have a lower risk of cancer – possibly because some ovarian cancers start in the fallopian tubes.

In the new study, experts found that women with one child had around a 20% reduction in the risk of developing any type of ovarian cancer compared to women without children. Each extra child then led to an estimated 8% reduction in the overall risk of ovarian cancer.

Women who were sterilised also had a 20% lower overall risk of ovarian cancer compared with those who had not undergone surgery.

The study, presented at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) cancer conference in Liverpool, involved data from more than 8,000 women with ovarian cancer.

PREGNANCY WEIGHT:

A study has found that sitting down for around six hours a day during the second trimester led to greater weight gain and diabetes in pregnancy, which can harm both mother and baby.

Dr Nithya Sukumar, who led the British study, said: “Pregnant women could benefit from early intervention to improve their physical and mental health and reduce the risks associated with sedentary behaviour.”

CHEMSEX WARNING:

Having sex under the influence of illegal drugs – known as “chemsex” – should become a public health priority, researchers have said.

Drugs such as GHB, GBL and crystal meth are used to enhance sexual pleasure and reduce inhibitions – but may put users at risk, they warned.

Evidence suggests the drugs are used for “sustained arousal” and “instant rapport” with partners. Unprotected sex is the norm and users of the drugs report an average of five sexual partners per session, said the experts, writing in the British Medical Journal. Other researchers have said chemsex, including injecting drugs, creates a “perfect storm” for transmission of both HIV and hepatitis C.