Anthropometric measures and epithelial ovarian cancer risk among Chinese women: results from the Shanghai Women's Health Study

Br J Cancer. 2013 Aug 6;109(3):751-5. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2013.384. Epub 2013 Jul 16.

Abstract

Background: Studies of anthropometric measures and ovarian cancer risk have predominantly included women of European descent with mixed findings.

Methods: Data from the prospective Shanghai Women's Health Study (SWHS) were used to evaluate associations between anthropometric measures and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results: A total of 152 EOC cases occurred among 70 258 women. Increasing quartiles of weight, hip circumference, and weight gain during adulthood were associated with significantly increased EOC risks. Body mass index (BMI) was also associated; overweight (25BMI<29.99) and obese women (BMI30.0) had significantly increased risks (HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.13, and HR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.37, 4.28, respectively). No significant associations were observed for height, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHER).

Conclusion: Results from this large prospective study of Chinese women support the hypothesis that general adiposity contributes to the aetiology of ovarian cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anthropometry
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / epidemiology*
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / etiology
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / etiology
  • Overweight / epidemiology
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors