Menopausal hormones and risk of ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine if use of menopausal hormones was associated with ovarian cancer and if risk varied by type of hormone used.


METHODS
Data from a population-based, case-control study of ovarian cancer in North Carolina (364 cases, 370 controls, all postmenopausal) were analyzed to evaluate the relationship between menopausal hormones and ovarian cancer. Logistic regression analyses were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% CIs associated with various patterns of hormone use.


RESULTS
Ovarian cancer cases were more likely than controls to report long-term use (>or=10 years) of unopposed estrogens (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2-4.1). No relationship was observed for estrogen always used with progestin.


CONCLUSIONS
Hormone replacement therapy used according to current recommendations should not increase risk of ovarian cancer; however, clinicians should be aware of possible increased risk among women with a long history of estrogen replacement therapy.
Moorman
Patricia G
PG
Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. patricia.moorman@duke.edu
Schildkraut
Joellen M
JM
Calingaert
Brian
B
Halabi
Susan
S
Berchuck
Andrew
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
D004967:Estrogens; D011372:Progestins