Ovarian cancer and dietary habits.

One hundred seven patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and one hundred fifty healthy women, categorized according to age, were evaluated for constitutional characteristics and also for dietary habits. No significant differences were observed between patients and controls in menarchal and menopausal history. Daily intake of proteins, glycides, lipids and calories was significantly higher in patients than in controls. However obesity was not confirmed as a risk factor for ovarian cancer. These conflicting data confirm that in ovarian neoplasia, although the exact mechanism is unknown (direct action or indirect effect), dietary factors may play an important role, suggesting a new mechanism in the etiology of this disease.