Can you take Mounjaro if you’ve had ovarian cancer?

Jump to: Understanding ovarian cancer remission | How Mounjaro works | Current guidelines | Practical tips | Take home message

You can take Mounjaro (tirzepatide) if you’re in complete remission from ovarian cancer and are no longer receiving active treatment.

However, consultation with your oncology team is essential before starting this medication, as they can provide personalised advice based on your specific medical history.

Mounjaro is not specifically contraindicated for ovarian cancer survivors.

However, it shouldn’t be used by patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2) due to concerns about thyroid cancer risk identified in animal studies.

While ovarian cancer isn’t as closely linked to obesity as some other cancers, maintaining a healthy weight after treatment can support overall health and recovery.

For those who struggle with weight following cancer treatment, medications like Mounjaro might provide valuable support as part of a healthy lifestyle after treatment.

Studies indicate that GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro don’t increase overall cancer risk, though more research specifically on ovarian cancer survivors is needed.

Understanding ovarian cancer remission

Ovarian cancer remission refers to the period when cancer symptoms decrease or disappear following treatment. Medical professionals typically classify remission into two categories:

1. Complete remission: No detectable signs of cancer remain after treatment based on physical examinations, imaging tests, and blood markers (particularly CA-125 levels). However, microscopic cancer cells may still be present even when tests show no evidence of disease.
2. Partial remission: The cancer has responded to treatment and decreased in size, but hasn’t disappeared completely. Some measurable disease is still present.

Following ovarian cancer treatment, which typically involves surgery (often including removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes, and sometimes the uterus) and chemotherapy, patients enter a surveillance period with regular follow-up appointments.

These follow-ups usually include pelvic examinations, CT scans, and CA-125 blood tests to monitor for any signs of recurrence.

The CA-125 tumour marker is particularly important for ovarian cancer monitoring, though not all ovarian cancers produce elevated levels.

The frequency of these appointments is highest in the first 2-3 years after treatment, gradually decreasing if no signs of cancer return.

In the UK, follow-up care for ovarian cancer typically continues for at least five years, with schedules tailored to individual risk factors and treatment history.

How Mounjaro works

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual-action medication that mimics two hormones in your body:

1. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1)
2. GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide).

These hormones play important roles in regulating appetite, digestion, and blood sugar levels.

When you take Mounjaro, it reduces hunger by communicating with your brain’s appetite control centre, slows digestion so you feel fuller for longer after eating, and improves insulin functions to help regulate blood sugar levels.

These effects help create a calorie deficit, which leads to weight loss. Clinical trials have shown Mounjaro supports an average weight loss of over 25% of body weight over 72 weeks.

For ovarian cancer survivors specifically, Mounjaro might offer benefits beyond weight loss:

• Reduced inflammation: Weight loss is associated with decreased inflammatory markers, which may create a healthier environment for recovery and ongoing health.
• Improved metabolic health: Better blood sugar control and reduced insulin resistance support overall health after cancer treatment.
• Enhanced quality of life: Achieving a healthier weight can improve energy levels, physical function, and emotional wellbeing during recovery.

Current guidelines

While there are no specific guidelines addressing Mounjaro use after ovarian cancer treatment, several general principles apply:

• Cancer remission status: Most healthcare providers recommend that patients be in complete remission before starting weight-loss medications.
• Individualised assessment: Rather than following a rigid waiting period, decisions should be based on your specific medical history, treatment response, and current health status. Your oncologist is best positioned to evaluate when it might be appropriate for you to consider weight-loss medications.
• Coordination of care: Your cancer specialist should be consulted before starting Mounjaro to ensure it doesn’t interfere with your cancer monitoring or treatment plan.
• Pre-existing conditions: If you have diabetes or other metabolic conditions along with a history of ovarian cancer, these factors will influence the decision about Mounjaro’s suitability.

In the UK, Mounjaro was approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in November 2023 for weight management in adults with a BMI over 30 (obesity) or a BMI between 27-30 (overweight) with weight-related health conditions.

These guidelines don’t specifically exclude cancer survivors, but individual assessment by healthcare providers is essential.

Practical tips

Keep in touch with your healthcare team

If you decide to take Mounjaro after ovarian cancer treatment:

• Regular monitoring: Continue all recommended cancer follow-up appointments, including CA-125 blood tests and imaging scans as scheduled by your oncologist.
• Medication reviews: Schedule regular reviews with your GP or specialist to assess how Mounjaro is working for you and monitor for any side effects.
• Symptom awareness: Be vigilant about potential signs of cancer recurrence, such as bloating, pelvic pain, changes in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss, and report these promptly to your healthcare team.
• Integrated care: Ensure all your healthcare providers, including your oncologist, GP, and any specialists, are aware of all medications you’re taking.

On Second Nature’s Mounjaro programme, you’ll complete monthly check-in forms that are reviewed by our clinical team to monitor your progress and any side effects.

Eat a diet based on whole foods

Nourishing your body with nutrient-dense foods becomes especially important when taking Mounjaro after cancer treatment.

Second Nature’s balanced plate model offers a foundation to build a healthy diet on:

• Fill half your plate with a variety of non-starchy vegetables to provide essential vitamins, minerals, fibre, and plant compounds that support overall health and recovery
• Dedicate a quarter of your plate to quality protein sources – like poultry, fish, eggs, lean meat, tofu, or legumes – which become especially crucial during weight loss to preserve muscle mass
• The remaining quarter accommodates complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, or whole grains, providing sustained energy without blood sugar spikes
• Include a tablespoon of fat from whole food sources like extra virgin olive oil, avocado, or nuts, which help your body absorb essential nutrients

For ovarian cancer survivors, a diet rich in whole foods supports overall health and recovery.

Smaller meals with protein-rich snacks in between may be easier to manage if you struggle to eat enough on Mounjaro.

Exercise regularly

Regular physical activity offers multiple benefits after ovarian cancer treatment:

• Overall health: Exercise improves cardiovascular health, reduces inflammation, and supports immune function
• Metabolic benefits: Physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, complementing Mounjaro’s effects
• Mental wellbeing: Activity helps manage stress, anxiety, and depression that often accompany cancer recovery

Start with low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or gentle yoga, and gradually increase intensity as your strength improves.

If you’ve had extensive abdominal surgery, consult with your healthcare team about safe exercise options and when it’s appropriate to resume different activities.

Take home message

Mounjaro can be a valuable tool to support weight management after ovarian cancer remission, but coordination with your cancer care team is essential.

Wait until you’re in complete remission and have finished all active cancer treatments, consult with your oncologist about the appropriate timing to start weight management medications based on your individual circumstances, and maintain all recommended follow-up appointments and cancer screenings.

Work with your healthcare team to ensure safe use and focus on a holistic approach that includes proper nutrition and building other healthy habits.

While ovarian cancer isn’t as directly linked to obesity as some other cancers, maintaining a healthy weight supports overall health and quality of life during recovery.

By taking these precautions and prioritising personalised medical guidance, you can potentially benefit from Mounjaro’s weight-loss effects while maintaining focus on your cancer recovery and ongoing health.

Second Nature’s medication programme

Second Nature provides Mounjaro as part of our Mounjaro weight-loss programme.

Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you’re eligible?

Because peace of mind matters.

We’ve had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.

Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes.

We’re here to support that change every step of the way.

With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we’re the UK’s most trusted weight-loss programme.

We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind and the support you need to take that first step.