Polycystic ovaries and the risk of breast cancer

American Journal of Epidemiology, 134(8), 818-824

DOI 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a116156

Abstract

Data from a case-control study that was conducted between 1980 and 1982 were analyzed to investigate the possible association between polycystic ovaries and the risk of breast cancer. The multicenter, population-based study included in-home interviews with 4,730 women with breast cancer and 4,688 control women aged 20-54 years. The age-adjusted odds ratio for breast cancer among women with a self-reported history of physician-diagnosed polycystic ovaries was 0.52 (95% confidence interval 0.32-0.87). The inverse association was not an artifact of infertility, age at first birth, or surgical menopause. Because women with this syndrome have abnormal levels of certain endogenous hormones, the observation of a low risk of breast cancer in this group may provide new insights into hormonal influences on breast cancer.

Topics

polycystic ovary syndrome breast cancer risk, pcos protective effect breast cancer, hormonal imbalance cancer risk women, endogenous hormones breast cancer association, ovarian dysfunction oncology outcomes, pcos long term health outcomes, anovulation breast cancer epidemiology, hyperandrogenism cancer risk, reproductive endocrine disorders cancer, case control study pcos breast cancer

Cite this article

Gammon, M. D., & Thompson, W. D. (1991). Polycystic ovaries and the risk of breast cancer. *American journal of epidemiology*, *134*(8), 818-824. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a116156

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