Diet and risk of seromucinous benign ovarian cysts.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the relation between selected dietary indicators and the risk of seromucinous benign ovarian cysts.


METHODS
We used data from a case-control study on risk factors for benign ovarian cysts conducted in Italy between 1984 and 1994. Cases included 225 women with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of benign seromucinous ovarian neoplasm dating back no more than 2 years. Controls were 450 women below the age of 65 years admitted for acute non-gynecological, non-hormonal, non-neoplastic conditions.


RESULTS
Women with seromucinous cysts reported more frequent consumption of beef and other red meat and cheese and less frequent consumption of green vegetables. The multivariate odds ratios (ORs) in highest versus less frequent consumption levels were 2.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8-4.3) for beef and other red meat, 0.6 (95% CI 0.3-0.9) for green vegetables and 1.4 (95% CI 1.0-2.2) for cheese.


CONCLUSIONS
Seromucinous benign ovarian cysts are associated with beef and cheese consumption, whereas high intake of green vegetables seems to have a protective effect.
Chiaffarino
Francesca
F
Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, via Eritrea, Milano 62-20157, Italy.
Parazzini
Fabio
F
Surace
Matteo
M
Benzi
Guido
G
Chiantera
Vito
V
La Vecchia
Carlo
C
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002611:Cheese; D004032:Diet; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008460:Meat; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014675:Vegetables