Meat, fish, and ovarian cancer risk: Results from 2 Australian case-control studies, a systematic review, and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Variation in meat and fish intakes has been associated with a risk of some cancers, but evidence for ovarian cancer is limited and inconsistent.


OBJECTIVE
We examined the association between intakes of total meat, red meat, processed meat, poultry, and fish and ovarian cancer risk.


METHODS
Data came from 2 Australian population-based case-control studies conducted 10 y apart. Analyses included a total of 2049 cases and 2191 control subjects. We obtained dietary information via a food-frequency questionnaire. We estimated multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for each study by using logistic regression and combined results of the 2 studies by using random-effects models. We also assembled the published evidence in a systematic review and meta-analysis.


RESULTS
Although there was no association between total or red meat intake and ovarian cancer risk, women with the highest intake of processed meat had a significantly increased risk of ovarian cancer in the 2 case-control studies (combined OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.21) and the meta-analysis [7 studies; pooled relative risk (RR): 1.20; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.34]. In contrast, a frequent intake of poultry was associated with borderline significant reductions in risk in the 2 case-control studies (combined OR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.67, 1.03) and the meta-analysis including 7 additional studies (pooled RR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.01). High fish intake was associated with a significantly reduced risk in the 2 case-control studies (combined OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.94) and a smaller borderline significant reduction in the meta-analysis (6 additional studies; pooled RR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.68, 1.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that low consumption of processed meat and higher consumption of poultry and fish may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
Kolahdooz
Fariba
F
Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
van der Pols
Jolieke C
JC
Bain
Christopher J
CJ
Marks
Geoffrey C
GC
Hughes
Maria Celia
MC
Whiteman
David C
DC
Webb
Penelope M
PM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D008460:Meat; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011200:Poultry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult