Korean J Epidemiol.  2002 Jun;24(1):76-82.

The Association of Reproductive and Menstrual Factors and Colon and Rectal Cancer Risk in Korean Women

• Lee BW
• Kim DH
• Lee H
• Whang DY
• Ahn YO

Abstract

Recently, there were several epidemiological studies demonstrating that reproductive and menstrual factors are associated with the risk of colorectal cancer in women. A hospital-based case-control study has been conducted to investigate whether the histories of childbearing, menstruation, and breast-feeding are associated with colorectal cancer risk. The cases were consecutively diagnosed, histologically confirmed, incident patients with cancers of the colon and rectum aged 30-79 who were admitted to three tertiary hospitals in Seoul, Korea between March 1995 and August 1997. Controls were selected in the same hospitals as the cases during the same periods. Finally, a total of 151 cases and 110 controls were selected and interviewed on their reproductive and menstrual characteristics using a structured questionnaire. Earlier age at first birth appears to be related with increased risk of colorectal cancer (multivariate relative risk[RR] of colorectal cancer for <21 vs 25 > or = 2.33; 95% confidence interval[CI] 1.1-5.1, p for trend 0.03). Compared with women who experienced menarche at age 16 or older, women whose menarche occurred at age 14 or less appeared at significantly higher risk of rectal cancer(multivariate RR of colorectal cancer for < or = 14 vs > or =16 = 2.26; 95% CI 1.0-3.4, p for trend 0.03). We found no associations for parity, incomplete pregnancies, menopause, use of oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy. These findings suggest that events of reproductive life may have a bearing on female subsequent risk of colon and rectal cancer

Keyword

colon cancer; rectal cancer; reproductive factors; menstrual factors; case-control study

MeSH Terms

Birth Order
Case-Control Studies
Colon*
Colonic Neoplasms
Colorectal Neoplasms
Contraceptives, Oral
Epidemiologic Studies
Female
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Humans
Korea
Menarche
Menopause
Menstruation
Parity
Pregnancy
Rectal Neoplasms*
Rectum
Seoul
Tertiary Care Centers
Surveys and Questionnaires
Contraceptives, Oral