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In Vivo and Ex Vivo Approaches to Study Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Colonization of Milky Spot Structures in Peritoneal Adipose
Published on: October 14, 2015
Racial differences in ovarian cancer risk
R B Ness1, J A Grisso, J Klapper
1Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.
Journal of the National Medical Association
|September 8, 2000
Summary
African-American women have a lower risk of ovarian cancer, even after accounting for known risk factors. Differences in reproductive and gynecologic history may play a role, but don't fully explain the disparity.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Oncology
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Previous studies indicated a lower incidence of ovarian cancer among African-American women.
- The reasons for this observed racial disparity in ovarian cancer risk were not fully understood.
- Known risk factors for ovarian cancer include sociodemographic, reproductive, and physical characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if differences in known risk factors explain the lower ovarian cancer risk in African-American women compared to white women.
- To compare risk and protective factors for epithelial ovarian cancer between racial groups.
Main Methods:
- A population-based, case-control study was conducted.
- Sociodemographic, reproductive, and physical risk factors were assessed in white and African-American women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (cases) and controls.
- Data from 669 white and 84 African-American cases were compared with 1110 white and 204 African-American controls.
Main Results:
- African-American women reported higher rates of five or more pregnancies and hysterectomy.
- White women were more likely to have a family history of ovarian cancer.
- Despite these differences, ovarian cancer risk factors were similar between racial groups. African-American women had a significantly lower odds of ovarian cancer (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-0.9), which persisted after adjusting for known risk factors (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-1.0).
Conclusions:
- Ovarian cancer risk remains lower among African-American women compared to white women.
- Differences in obstetric and gynecologic experiences may partially explain racial variations in ovarian cancer risk.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying reasons for the persistent lower risk in African-American women.
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