An epidemiologic study of epithelial carcinoma of the ovary

• Published in: American journal of epidemiology Vol. 114; no. 3; p. 398
• Main Authors: Hildreth, N G, Kelsey, J L, LiVolsi, V A, Fischer, D B, Holford, T R, Mostow, E D, Schwartz, P E, White, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1981
• Subjects: Aged; Carcinoma - epidemiology; Carcinoma - etiology; Carcinoma - genetics; Connecticut; Estrogens - adverse effects; Female; Humans; Menopause; Menstruation; Middle Aged; Ovarian Neoplasms - epidemiology; Ovarian Neoplasms - etiology; Ovarian Neoplasms - genetics; Risk; Surveys and Questionnaires; Connecticut; Americas; Age Distribution; Body Weight; United States; Menopause; Religion; Thyroid Effects; Ovarian Cancer > etiology; Marital Status; Research Methodology; North America; Neoplasms; Diseases; Northern America; Developed Countries; Ethnic Groups; Epidemiologic Methods; Connecticut; Oral Contraceptives; Parity; Cancer
• ISSN: 0002-9262
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a113207

A case-control study to identify risk factors for epithelial ovarian cancer was undertaken among women in the age group 45-74 years who had been admitted to seven hospitals in Connecticut between July, 1977, and March, 1979. Characteristics that were found to increase the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer included being white, never having been pregnant, having a late age at menopause, having a family history of cancer of the ovary or endometrium, and having a long estimated number of years of ovulation. Prior use of post-menopausal estrogens did not alter the risk for epithelial ovarian cancer, but there was some indication that oral contraceptives protect against ovarian cancer. Women with ovarian cancer were somewhat more likely to have had a history of an underactive thyroid and were somewhat less likely to have had a history of an overactive thyroid than controls, although these trends were not statistically significant.