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Body size and ovarian cancer: case–control study and systematic review (Australia)

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Abstract

Objective: Although increased body mass is an established risk factor for a variety of cancers, its relation with cancer of the ovary is unclear. We therefore investigated the association between measures of body mass index (BMI) and ovarian cancer risk.

Methods: Data from an Australian case–control study of 775 ovarian cancer cases and 846 controls were used to examine the association with BMI. We have also summarized the results from a number of other studies that have examined this association.

Results: There was a significant increased risk of ovarian cancer with increasing BMI, with women in the top 15% of the BMI range having an odds ratio (OR) of 1.9 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3–2.6) compared with those in the middle 30%. Stratifying by physical activity showed a stronger effect among inactive women (OR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.3–6.9). The overall effect was consistent with the findings of most prior population-based case–control studies, while cohort studies reported positive effects closer to the null. Hospital-based studies gave variable results.

Conclusions: Taken together, the evidence is in favor of a small to moderate positive relation between high BMI and occurrence of ovarian cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, Queensland, 4006, Australia

    David M. Purdie, Penelope M. Webb, David C. Whiteman & Adèle C. Green

  2. School of Population health, University of Queensland, Medical School, Herston Rd, Herston, Queensland, 4006, Australia

    Christopher J. Bain & Sandi Pirozzo

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  1. David M. Purdie
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Purdie, D.M., Bain, C.J., Webb, P.M. et al. Body size and ovarian cancer: case–control study and systematic review (Australia). Cancer Causes Control 12, 855–863 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012267619561

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