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Research: ZHANG and co-workers,
Listed in Issue 100
Abstract
ZHANG and co-workers, School of Public Health, Cutrin University of Technology, Perth WA 6845, Australia, have described reproductive and dietary risk factors for ovarian cancer in China.
Background
The aim of the study was to explore risk factors for epithelial ovarian cancer in Chinese women.
Methodology
This case-control study used 254 patients with confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer matched to 652 healthy controls. Information was gathered by using a questionnaire on sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics, diet, medical and family cancer history. The risk of ovarian cancer was assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Results
It was found that the risk of ovarian cancer was reduced to about half by having had at least two pregnancies and the first full-term pregnancy at 21-25 years of age, compared to not having children. It was also about halved by breastfeeding and by oral contraceptives. Not surprisingly, postmenopausal women seem to have about 1.5 times the risk of ovarian cancer. A large dietary intake of fat and retinol increases the risk of ovarian cancer, while a large intake of fibre, carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E reduces it.
Conclusion
It is clear that pregnancies, lactation and the use of oral contraceptives can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. The consumption of foods low in fat but high in fibre, carotene and antioxidant vitamins appears to be protective against ovarian cancer in Chinese women.
References
Zhang M, Lee AH, Binns CW. Reproductive and dietary risk factors for epithelial ovarian cancer in China. Gynecologic Oncology 92 (1): 320-326, Jan 2004.
Comment
It is highly interesting that dietary intake of nutrients and supplements including fibre, vitamins carotene, vitamins C and E reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. This makes it so unbelievable that at a time when evidence of this nature is forthcoming from serious medical journals that the European Union and the international community through CODEX is considering restricting the availability of these very life-saving nutrients from its populations.
