Risk of ovarian cancer in relation to use of phenolphthalein-containing laxatives.
We examined ovarian cancer risk in relation to use of phenolphthalein-containing laxatives in 410 epithelial ovarian cancer cases and 713 controls. Compared to women who never used a laxative, ever use of a phenolphthalein-containing laxative was not associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer (odds ratio, OR, 1.1, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.9-1.4). Risk was slightly, but not significantly, higher with more frequent use (OR 1.2 for 75 or more days of use). When women who used non-phenolphthalein containing laxatives was used as the reference group, the associations were slightly, but not significantly larger (OR 1.4 for any use of phenolphthalein-containing laxatives and OR 1.5 for 75 or more days of use)
Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA.
G S
GS
Cooper
M P
MP
Longnecker
D P
DP
Sandler
R B
RB
Ness
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D020113:Phenolphthalein / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States
D002400:Cathartics; D020113:Phenolphthalein