Anthropometric variables, physical activity, and incidence of ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND: Reports on the relation between anthropometric variables (height, weight) and physical activity with ovarian cancer have been inconclusive. The objective of the current study was to extend investigation of potential associations in the Iowa Women's Health Study cohort. METHODS: The relation between self-reported anthropometric variables and incident ovarian cancer was studied in a prospective cohort of women ages 55-69 years who were followed for 15 years. Two hundred twenty-three incident cases of epithelial ovarian cancer were identified by linkage to a cancer registry. RESULTS: No association was found overall between ovarian cancer and height, but a positive association was observed for serous ovarian cancers (relative risk RR, 1.86 for highest quartile vs. lowest quartile; 95% confidence interval 95% CI, 1.06-3.29). Although current body mass index (BMI) was not associated with ovarian cancer, a BMI > or =30 kg/m2 at age 18 years appeared to be associated positively with ovarian cancer (multivariate-adjusted RR, 1.83 for BMI > or =30 kg/m2 vs. BMI 4 times per week vs. rarely/never; 95% CI, 1.29-4.38). CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric variables were not major risk factors for ovarian cancer in the cohort studied; however, high BMI in early adulthood and frequent and vigorous physical activity may increase the risk of ovarian cancer among postmenopausal women.