A case control study of carcinoma of the ovary.

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Abstract
There is increased concern over the apparent rise in incidence of patients with carcinoma of the ovary, particularly in older women. In an attempt to identify etiological factors 300 women with cancer of the ovary diagnosed at laparatomy were studied. A questionnaire was administered to these women (Group A) and to 2 control groups matched by age. The 1st control group (Group B) comprized patients in a gynecological ward and the 2nd (Group C) comprised women on the lists of general practitioners living in the same areas as the index cases. Differences were shown in the obstetric history of the 3 groups. Fewer of the women in Group A had married and fewer had ever been pregnant and the family size was smaller. Significantly fewer of them recollected an attack of mumps, measles, or rubella. In all, only 81 of the whole series of 900 had used oral contraceptives, 19 of Group A and 31 in each of the control groups, a statistically significant deficiency.