Use of fertility drugs and risk of ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND
The potential association between fertility drugs and risk of ovarian cancer has been analysed using data from a case-control study conducted between January 1992 and September 1999 in four Italian areas.


METHODS
Cases were 1031 women (median age 56, range 18-79 years) with incident, histologically confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer. Controls were 2411 women (median age 57, range 17-79 years) residing in the same geographical areas and admitted to the same network of hospitals for cases for a wide spectrum of acute, non neoplastic, non hormone-related conditions.


RESULTS
A total of 15 cases and 26 controls reported use of fertility drugs. The corresponding odds ratio (OR) was 1.3 (95% confidence interval 0.7-2.5). The OR was 1.2 for women reporting last use <25 years before interview and 1.3 for >25 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering calendar year at use, the OR was non-significantly above unity for women reporting fertility drug use after 1970. The OR was 0.6 among nulliparous women and 1.9 among parous ones.
Parazzini
F
F
Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Eritrea, 62-20157 Milan, Italy. parazzini@iftmn.mnegri.it
Pelucchi
C
C
Negri
E
E
Franceschi
S
S
Talamini
R
R
Montella
M
M
La Vecchia
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005299:Fertility Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D010298:Parity; D012307:Risk Factors
D005299:Fertility Agents