Journal of Ovarian Research May 15th: Tubal ligation, hysterectomy and ovarian cancer: A meta-analysis

 Blogger's Note: included in the study are references to hereditary ovarian cancer - BRCA's but not Lynch Syndrome
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Journal of Ovarian Research Tubal ligation, hysterectomy and ovarian cancer: A meta-analysis

Introduction
Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in US women [1], yet primary prevention recommendations are limited. Gynecological surgeries including tubal ligation and hysterectomy may alter ovarian cancer risk by protecting the ovary from ascending carcinogens or damaging the utero-ovarian artery altering hormonal function. In addition, tubal ligation may increase immunity against the surface glycoprotein human mucin 1 (MUC1) [2-4]. While tubal ligation and hysterectomy generally have been found to be inversely associated with ovarian cancer, effect estimates vary between studies and little is
known about potential effect modifiers of these associations. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of the association between ovarian cancer and tubal ligation as well as hysterectomy.

Results
......In secondary analyses, the association between tubal ligation and ovarian cancer risk was stronger for endometrioid tumors compared to serous tumors.

Conclusion

Observational epidemiologic evidence strongly supports that tubal ligation and hysterectomy are associated with a decrease in the risk of ovarian cancer, by approximately 26-30%. Additional research is needed to determine whether the association between tubal ligation and hysterectomy on ovarian cancer risk differs by individual, surgical, and tumor characteristics.

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paywalled: Coffee and tea consumption and the risk of ovarian cancer: a prospective cohort study and updated meta-analysis

Blogger's Note/Opinion: as per abstract, to date and studies over decades, have not found a link between coffee/tea/ovarian cancer risk - so, the question is this: how many more studies will it take to finally put this issue to rest? Unless there are novel (new) findings then we need to move forward.

Coffee and tea consumption and the risk of ovarian cancer: a prospective cohort study and updated meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: In 2007 the World Cancer Research Fund Report concluded that there was limited and inconsistent evidence for an effect of coffee and tea consumption on the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). 

Objective: In the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), we aimed to investigate whether coffee intakes, tea intakes, or both are associated with the risk of EOC. 

Design: All women participating in the EPIC (n = 330,849) were included in this study. Data on coffee and tea consumption were collected through validated food-frequency questionnaires at baseline. HRs and 95% CIs were estimated by using Cox proportional hazards models. Furthermore, we performed an updated meta-analysis of all previous prospective studies until April 2011 by comparing the highest and lowest coffee- and tea-consumption categories as well as by using dose-response random-effects meta-regression analyses. 

Results: During a median follow-up of 11.7 y, 1244 women developed EOC. No association was observed between the risk of EOC and coffee consumption [HR: 1.05 (95% CI: 0.75, 1.46) for the top quintile compared with no intake] or tea consumption [HR: 1.07 (95% CI: 0.78, 1.45) for the top quintile compared with no intake]. This lack of association between coffee and tea intake and EOC risk was confirmed by the results of our meta-analysis. 

Conclusion: Epidemiologic studies do not provide sufficient evidence to support an association between coffee and tea consumption and risk of ovarian cancer.

abstract: Adnexal masses in women with breast cancer

Adnexal masses in women with breast cancer:

Background

Adnexal masses detected in breast cancer survivors are of particular concern because of the increased risk of ovarian malignancy.

Aims

This study was performed to analyse adnexal masses among women with breast cancer with regard to variables predictive of malignancy.

Methods

The study included women with breast cancer who had undergone surgery for an adnexal mass between 2002 and 2010 at Hacettepe University Hospital. A total of 45 consecutive women with a mean age of 47.3 years (range 25–76) were analysed retrospectively.

Results

Of 45 cases reviewed, benign ovarian pathology was found in 35 cases (77.8%) and malignant ovarian neoplasms were found in 10 cases (22.2%). A simple ovarian cyst was observed in 25 cases (71.4%) as the most common type of benign pathology. Of the 10 cases with malignancy, 5 (50%) had primary ovarian carcinoma, while the remaining five women had breast carcinoma metastases to the ovary. Complex mass at ultrasonography, increased CA 125 level and oestrogen receptor–negative tumour were found to be the significant predictors of ovarian malignancy.

Conclusions

Although an adnexal mass in a woman with breast cancer is most commonly a benign ovarian cyst, the overall risk of ovarian malignancy is increased with breast cancer. An adnexal mass with complex architecture detected by ultrasonography and high CA 125 level were the strongest risk factors associated with increased risk of malignancy.

Jan 2012 abstract: Long-term follow-up of Jewish women with a BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation who underwent population genetic screening

Blogger's Note: in this study longterm followup = 2 years

Abstract

There are two mutations in BRCA1 and one in BRCA2, which are present in up to 2.5% of Jewish women. Population genetic testing for Jewish women has been proposed; however, it is unclear how this would impact the uptake of cancer prevention options and psychosocial functioning in women with a positive result. Two thousand and eighty unselected Jewish women were tested for the Jewish BRCA mutations, and 1.1% were positive. Cancer-related distress was measured before testing, and at 1 and 2 years post-testing. Information on uptake of cancer risk reduction options was collected at 2 years. Breast and ovarian cancer risks were estimated using BRCAPRO. Within 2 years of receiving a positive result, 11.1% of women had prophylactic mastectomy, and 89.5% had a prophylactic oophorectomy. The mean breast cancer risk was estimated to be 37.2% at time of testing, compared to 20.9% at 2 years post-testing. The mean ovarian cancer risk was estimated to be 24.5% at time of testing, compared to 7.5% at 2 years following testing. Distress decreased between 1 and 2 years for women with prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy (P = 0.02), and for women with prophylactic oophorectomy only (P = 0.04) but not for those with neither surgery. The majority of Jewish women with a BRCA mutation identified through a population screening elected prophylactic oophorectomy, but a few had a prophylactic mastectomy. Uptake of either surgery resulted in decreased distress. Provision of population BRCA testing resulted in reduced risks of breast and ovarian cancers in women with a mutation.

Keywords  BRCA1 – BRCA2 – Breast cancer – Genetic testing – Jewish

Meat, fish, and ovarian cancer risk: results from 2 Australian case-control studies, a systematic review, and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

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.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that low consumption of processed meat and higher consumption of poultry and fish may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.