Authors:
Wong C. Hempling RE. Piver MS. Natarajan N. Mettlin CJ.
Institution:
Dr. M.S. Piver, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets,
Bufallo, NY 14263; United States.
Title:
Perineal talc exposure and subsequent epithelial ovarian cancer: A case- control study. (1999 2828)
Source:
Obstetrics and Gynecology. Vol 93(3) (pp72-376), 1999.
Abstract:
Objectives:
To evaluate the role of talcum powder use as a risk factor for the development of epithelial ovarian cancer.
Methods:
In a case-control study, 499 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer were Frequency matched for age at diagnosis (+/-5 years) with a control population of 755 patients. The odds ratio (OR) for the development of epithelial ovarian cancer was estimated using logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age at diagnosis, parity, oral contraceptive use, smoking history, family history of epithelial ovarian cancer, age at menarche, menopausal status, income, education, geographic location, history of tubal ligation, and previous hysterectomy.
Results:
Two hundred twenty-one of 462 patients (47.8%) in the study population and 311 of 693 patients (44.9%) in the control population had ever used talcum powder (OR 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24, 3.62). A significant association between duration of talc use and development of epithelial ovarian cancer was not demonstrable for 1-9 years (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.6, 1.5), for 10-19 years (OR 1.4; 95% CI 0.9, 2.2), or for more than 20 years (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.6, 1.2). To eliminate the possible confounding variable of surgery for the management of ovarian cancer, we omitted 135 patients in the study population who underwent hysterectomy within 5 years of the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Within this subgroup of patients, tubal ligation or hysterectomy among talc users still failed to demonstrate an increased risk for the development of ovarian cancer (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.4, 2.2).
Conclusion:
A significant association between the use of talcum powder and the risk of developing epithelial ovarian cancer is not demonstrable, even with prolonged exposure.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What is cancer (malignancy)
- 2 What is meant by cancer staging?
- 3 How prevalent is cancer?
- 4 How prevalent are womens' cancers?
- 5 What causes cancer?
- 6 Is cancer a hereditary condition?
- 7 How can gynaecological cancer present?
- 8 How can we reduce the risks of the womens' cancers?
Reducing the Risks of Womens' Cancers.
- 9 What are screening tests?
- 10 What are the reactions to a diagnosis of cancer?
- 11 Is there a place for counselling when cancer is diagnosed?
- 12 Can personality alter the prognosis?
- 13 Is the incidence of deaths from the female cancers changing?
- 14 Is there a place for a holistic approach to cancer?
Cancer of the Cervix.
- 15 How prevalent is cervical cancer?
- 16 What causes cervical cancer?
- 17 How long an interval should there be between cervical screening (smear) (PAP) tests?
- 18 Is there any evidence that cervical screening can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer?
- 19 Will pre-malignant changes of the cervix invariably lead to cancer?
Endometrial Cancer (Uterus)
- 20 What causes endometrial cancer?
- 21 Are there screening tests for endometrial cancer?
- 22 How does endometrial cancer present?
- 22a How can endometrial cancer be prevented?
- 22b How can endometrial cancer be treated?
Cancer of the Ovary.
- 23 How does ovarian cancer present?
- 24 How prevalent is ovarian cancer?
- 25 What are tumour markers?
- 26 Can we screen for ovarian cancer?
- 27 What is the relationship between infertility and ovarian cancer?
- 28 Can treatment of infertility increase the risk of ovarian cancer?
- 29 What is the relationship between oral contraception and cancer?
- 30 Can ovarian cancer be prevented?
- 31 I use talcum power. Could this increase my risk of developing ovarian cancer?
The Treatment Of Womens' Cancers
- 32 Can we predict the course of a cancer?
- 33 What treatment options are available for gynaecological cancer?
- Q32.33c What treatment options are available for ovarian cancer?
Cancer of the Vulva, Vagina and Fallopian Tube
- 34 How prevalent are malignant conditions of the vulva, vagina and Fallopian tubes?
Breast Cancer
- 35 What is the incidence of breast cancer?
- 35 ?What is the cause of breast cancer?
- 35a What are the advantages of breast cancer screening - mammography - mammograms?
- 14 Is there a place for a holistic approach to cancer?
- 36 How often should breast screening be carried out?
- 37 Are there any problems having a mammogram?
- 38 Should I check myself for breast lumps?
- 39 One of my family developed cancer of the breast. Am I at increased risk?
- 40 We have a family tendency towards developing breast / ovarian cancer. Are there any genetic tests to find out if I am at increased risk?
- 41 What happens if a mammogram shows an abnormality?
- 42 What are the advantages and disadvantages of tamoxifen in the management of breast cancer?
- 42a Breast Cancer Treatment - What is available?
- 43 What is the relationship between breast cancer and the pill?
Web sites and Support Groups
- 44 Are there any support groups?
- 44 Are there any support groups?
- 45 Support Groups.
- 46 Breast Cancer Support Groups
- 47 Ovarian Cancer Support Groups
- 48 Endometrial Cancer Support Groups
- 49 Cervical Cancer Support Groups
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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.














