A case-control study of analgesic use and ovarian cancer

A recent case-control study raised the hypothesis that acetaminophen use 1 day or more per week for at least 6 months reduces the risk of epithelial o varian cancer. We assessed analgesic use in relation to epithelial ovarian cancer risk using data from our case-control surveillance study of medicati on use and canter. Patients were interviewed in hospitals in Baltimore, Bos ton, New York, and Philadelphia during 1976-1998, We compared 780 women wit h epithelial ovarian cancer to 2053 cancer controls and 2570 noncancer cont rols. For acetaminophen use 1 day or more per week for at least 6 months, t he odds ratio estimate was 0.9 (95% confidence interval, 0.6-1.4) derived w ith cancer controls and 1.0 (0.6-1.5) with noncancer controls. Estimates fo r more frequent and longer term use were also compatible with 1.0, The odds ratios among patients with metastatic ovarian cancer were reduced but not statistically significant. The odds ratio for use of nonsteroidal anti-infl ammatory drugs 4 or more days per week for at least 5 years, 0.5, was stati stically significant. The present results provide only weak support for a r eduction in the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer among acetaminophen users . They raise the possibility of an inverse association with long-term nonst eroidal anti-inflammatory drug use.