Case-control study, 1992
Is premenstrual tension a risk factor for ovarian cancer?
This study found that premenstrual tension is not a risk factor for ovarian cancer, though older age at menopause and hot flashes were associated with increased risk.
What they did
Case-control study comparing 52 women with ovarian cancer to 52 women without ovarian cancer from Western Saudi Arabia, examining menstrual and reproductive factors.
What they found
Age at menopause and hot flashes were associated with increased ovarian cancer risk. Age at menarche and premenstrual tension had no association with ovarian cancer risk. Oral contraceptive use protected against ovarian cancer, with longer duration of use providing more protection.
What it means for you
Premenstrual tension or PMS does not increase the risk of ovarian cancer. This is reassuring for women with PMS. However, the study is small with only 52 cancer cases and 52 controls, and was done in one country, so the findings may not apply to all populations.
52
Women with ovarian cancer
52
Women without ovarian cancer in control group
About the study
- Original title
- An epidemiologic study of ovarian cancer. Part 11: Oral contraceptive use and menstrual events
- Authors
- Badawy YA, Bayoumi DM
- Journal
- The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 52
- What was tested
- None; observational case-control study examining risk factors
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1294683/
Topics
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