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Familial ovarian cancer: a population-based case-control study.
J M Schildkraut1, W D Thompson
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.
American Journal of Epidemiology
|September 1, 1988
Summary
Women with a family history of ovarian cancer have a significantly increased risk of developing the disease. This risk applies to both maternal and paternal relatives, underscoring genetic predisposition in ovarian cancer.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Genetics
- Oncology
Background:
- Ovarian cancer aggregation within families suggests a potential genetic component.
- Understanding familial risk is crucial for targeted screening and prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the degree of ovarian cancer aggregation in families.
- To quantify the risk of ovarian cancer associated with a family history.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, population-based case-control study.
- Involved 493 newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer cases (aged 20-54) and 2,465 controls.
- Compared family history of ovarian cancer between cases and controls.
Main Results:
- Increased odds ratios for ovarian cancer in first-degree (3.6) and second-degree (2.9) relatives.
- Significant association found on both maternal and paternal sides.
- Family history was reported by women with malignant lesions, not borderline ones.
Conclusions:
- A family history of ovarian cancer is a significant risk factor.
- Genetic predisposition plays a role in ovarian cancer development.
- Findings were robust against potential confounding factors and reporting errors.