title: Use of dairy products, lactose, and calcium and risk of ovarian cancer - results from a Danish case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A number of epidemiological studies have examined the association between use of dairy products and risk of ovarian cancer, but results are conflicting. Using data from a large Danish population-based case-control study we here further examined the association between dairy consumption, lactose, and calcium and risk of overall ovarian cancer and histological types of ovarian cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the period 1995-1999 we included 554 women with epithelial ovarian cancer and 1554 randomly selected age-matched controls (35-79 years). All women participated in a detailed personal interview that included questions about dairy consumption. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total dairy intake was associated with ovarian cancer risk (OR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.07-1.15 per 100 ml/day). The association was strongest for milk [OR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.03-1.27 per glass (200 ml)/day], soured milk products [OR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.22-1.81 per portion (250 ml)/day] and yoghurt [OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.22-2.23 per portion (250 ml)/day]. In contrast, intake of cheese was associated with a decreased risk [OR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.55-0.89 for > 1 portion (100 ml)/day compared with no intake]. Intake of lactose, but not calcium, was also associated with an increased ovarian cancer risk (OR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.10-1.40 per 10 g of lactose/day). Similar risk patterns were observed for the different histological types of ovarian cancer, indicating virtually identical aetiologies with regard to dairy intake, lactose, and calcium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that intake of dairy products is associated with a modest increased risk of ovarian cancer. In addition, ovarian cancer development was associated with lactose intake.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mette T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Søgaard
authors.forename: Estrid
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Høgdall
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Høgdall
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blaakaer
authors.forename: Susanne K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kjaer
mesh_terms: D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000209:etiology*; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003718:Denmark; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007785:Lactose / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D007785:Lactose