A CASE-CONTROL INVESTIGATION ON CANCER OF THE OVARY IN BANGALORE, INDIA

Cancer of the ovary is the sixth leading cancer among females in Banga lore, and is a leading site of cancer in other population-based cancer registries in India. A case-control investigation was conducted utili zing the data from the population-based cancer registry in Bangalore. In addition to the core patient information, certain other details per taining to consumption of tobacco, reproductive and obstetric factors and those related to the practice of family planning, including the me thod adopted, were available with the registry, for the period 1982-19 85. Identical information was also available for patients residing in the registry area who did not have cancer. Ninety-seven cases of ovari an cancer in ever-married women were age-matched with 194 controls fro m the same area who showed no evidence of cancer. The risk of ovarian cancer was not influenced by tobacco habits, alcohol consumption, diet or the various reproductive factors. However, tubectomy as a method o f family planning appeared to reduce the risk of development of ovaria n cancer. This reduction in risk was not influenced by parity or age o f the woman at the time of birth of the first child. (C) 1995 Wiley-Li ss, Inc.