Risk of ovarian cancer in relation to use of phenolphthalein-containing laxatives

We examined ovarian cancer risk in relation to use of phenolphthalein-conta ining laxatives in 410 epithelial ovarian cancer cases and 713 controls. Co mpared to women who never used a laxative, ever use of a phenolphthalein-co ntaining laxative was not associated with an increased risk of ovarian canc er (odds ratio. OR, 1.1, 95% confidence interval, GI, 0.9-1.4). Risk was sl ightly, but not significantly, higher with more frequent use (OR 1.2 for 75 or more days of use). When women who used non-phenolphthalein containing l axatives was used as the reference group, the associations were slightly, b ut not significantly larger (OR 1.4 for any use of phenolphthalein-containi ng laxatives and OR 1.5 for 75 or more days of use) (C) 2000 Cancer Researc h Campaign.