INTRODUCTION: The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the association between breastfeeding and risk of ovarian cancer. METHODS: Relevant observational studies were identified by a search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases through December 2012. Summary odds ratios (ORs) for ovarian cancer, comparing women who had breastfed with women who had not, were calculated using a random-effects model. A dose-response meta-analysis assessed the risk of ovarian cancer by breastfeeding duration. RESULTS: A total of 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with women who had not breastfed, women who had breastfed had a significantly decreased risk of ovarian cancer, with an OR of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.57-0.76; P < .001). We observed an inverse linear relationship with breastfeeding duration: for every one-month increase in breastfeeding, the OR was 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97-0.99; P < .001). A nonlinear association was also apparent, with a sharp decrease in the OR when breastfeeding duration was 8 to 10 months. There was evidence of heterogeneity (I(2) = 83.9%). No publication bias was found (Begg test, P = 0.89; Egger test, P = 0.89). DISCUSSION: Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian cancer proportional to duration. Breastfeeding for 8 to 10 months may be most effective for reducing the risk of ovarian cancer.
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the association between breastfeeding and risk of ovarian cancer. METHODS: Relevant observational studies were identified by a search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases through December 2012. Summary odds ratios (ORs) for ovarian cancer, comparing women who had breastfed with women who had not, were calculated using a random-effects model. A dose-response meta-analysis assessed the risk of ovarian cancer by breastfeeding duration. RESULTS: A total of 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with women who had not breastfed, women who had breastfed had a significantly decreased risk of ovarian cancer, with an OR of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.57-0.76; P < .001). We observed an inverse linear relationship with breastfeeding duration: for every one-month increase in breastfeeding, the OR was 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97-0.99; P < .001). A nonlinear association was also apparent, with a sharp decrease in the OR when breastfeeding duration was 8 to 10 months. There was evidence of heterogeneity (I(2) = 83.9%). No publication bias was found (Begg test, P = 0.89; Egger test, P = 0.89). DISCUSSION: Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian cancer proportional to duration. Breastfeeding for 8 to 10 months may be most effective for reducing the risk of ovarian cancer.
Authors: Veronica Barcelona de Mendoza; Emily Harville; Katherine Theall; Pierre Buekens; Lisa Chasan-Taber Journal: Birth Date: 2015-11-10 Impact factor: 3.689