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Relation of Anthropometric Measurements to Ovarian Cancer Risk in a Population-based Case–control Study (United States)

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Abstract

Objective

To examine the relationship between anthropometric measures and ovarian cancer by menopausal status.

Methods

We analyzed data from a population-based case–control study comprised of 700 incident cases of epithelial ovarian cancer and 5,943 population controls from Massachusetts and Wisconsin enrolled between 1993 and 2001. In a telephone interview, information was gathered on established ovarian cancer risk factors, as well as adult height and age-specific body weight. Logistic regression was used to estimate multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for body mass index (BMI) throughout life.

Results

Recent BMI had no significant association with ovarian cancer risk (P-trend 0.14 for continuous BMI), after adjustment for age and other ovarian cancer risk factors. However, a non-significant positive association (overall P-trend 0.08) was observed for BMI at age 20; the risk estimate comparing a body mass of >25 kg/m2 to the lowest quintile (≤18.88 kg/m2) was moderately but non-significantly elevated (OR 1.46; 95% CI 0.92, 2.31).

Conclusion

Results of this study suggest that maintenance of a lean body mass, particularly in early adult life, may decrease ovarian cancer risk.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Medical Center East, Suite 6000, Nashville, TN, 37232-8300, USA

    Neeraja B. Peterson, Amy Trentham-Dietz, Polly A. Newcomb, Zhi Chen, Tebeb Gebretsadik, John M. Hampton, Meir J. Stampfer, Walter C. Willett & Kathleen M. Egan

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  1. Neeraja B. Peterson
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  2. Amy Trentham-Dietz
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  3. Polly A. Newcomb
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  4. Zhi Chen
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  5. Tebeb Gebretsadik
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  7. Meir J. Stampfer
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  9. Kathleen M. Egan
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Correspondence to Neeraja B. Peterson.

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Peterson, N.B., Trentham-Dietz, A., Newcomb, P.A. et al. Relation of Anthropometric Measurements to Ovarian Cancer Risk in a Population-based Case–control Study (United States). Cancer Causes Control 17, 459–467 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-005-0416-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-005-0416-1

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