The epidemiology of ovarian cancer

Journal article

This paper reviews evidence on the distribution of ovarian cancer in the community and on the characteristics of women who develop ovarian cancer. In general these data highlight the importance of the repeated stimulation of the ovary by "incessant ovulation" in the aetiology of the malignancy - factors such as pregnancy and oral contraceptive use which suppress ovulation protect against ovarian cancer. The increasing incidence of ovarian cancer in many Western countries has probably resulted from the decreasing average number of children born to successive generations of women. © 1980.

Authors: Beral, V

• Journal: Advances in the Biosciences
• Volume: 26
• Issue: C
• Pages: 29-38
• Publication date: 1980-01-01
• ISSN: 0065-3446
• Language: English
• Keywords: aetiology of ovarian cancer; protective effect of oral contraceptives; Epidemiology of ovarian cancer; ovulation; protective effect of pregnancy