A Case-Control Study of Use of Postmenopausal Female Hormone Supplements in Relation to the Risk of Large Bowel Cancer

• Published in: Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention Vol. 9; no. 4; pp. 443 - 447
• Main Authors: PRIHARTONO, N, PALMER, J. R, LOUIK, C, SHAPIRO, S, ROSENBERG, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA American Association for Cancer Research 01-04-2000
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Colonic Neoplasms - epidemiology; Colonic Neoplasms - etiology; Colonic Neoplasms - prevention & control; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Humans; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Postmenopause; Rectal Neoplasms - epidemiology; Rectal Neoplasms - etiology; Rectal Neoplasms - prevention & control; Risk Assessment; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Tumors; Human; Replacement therapy; Carcinoma; Menopause; Estrogen; Malignant tumor; Case control study; Ovarian hormone; Colonic disease; Postmenopause; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Adult; Female; Colon; Progesterone; Sex steroid hormone
• ISSN: 1055-9965; 1538-7755

Postmenopausal female hormone use has been associated with a reduced
risk of colon cancer. We assessed the relation of use of these
supplements to the risk of large bowel cancer. The data were collected
in a case-control study of large bowel cancer conducted in
Massachusetts. Control subjects were matched to incident cases of
carcinoma of the colon or rectum on age, gender, and town precinct. The
analysis was restricted to women who experienced a natural menopause or
had had a hysterectomy with or without removal of the ovaries (292
colon cancer cases and 112 rectal cancer cases and their matched
controls). Use of female hormone supplements was associated with a
decreased risk of colon cancer among recent users (odds ratio, 0.6;
95% confidence interval, 0.4–1.0) and long duration (5+ years) of use
(odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.3–0.9). The association
with long duration of use appeared to be independent of recency of use
and screening practices and was apparent for late-stage cancer.
Hormone supplement use was not associated with a reduced risk of rectal
cancer. Our results add to the evidence for a decreased risk of colon
cancer associated with use of female hormone supplements.