Fatemeh Kiani

Abstract

A few aspects of the epidemiology of ovarian cancer are well understood, such as the inverse relationship with parity and oral contraceptive (OC) use. The role of other factors such as the potential influence of diet or physical activity is far from being established. A few studies, however, have been able to identify dietary risk factors for ovarian cancer. In this dissertation, I have conducted two studies that investigate the relationship between dietary factors and physical activity and the three endpoints: 1) nonfatal ovarian cancer (1976-1982; time to diagnosis), 2) fatal ovarian cancer (1976-1988; time to death), and 3) total ovarian cancer (1976-1992; actual and estimated time to diagnosis) in the Adventist Health Study (AHS).

The first study, examined the relation between dietary factors and all ovarian cancer. The study showed a consistent (for all three endpoints) reduced risk of ovarian cancer with fruit and vegetables intake. Specifically, I found a significant reduced risk of fatal ovarian cancer with tomato intake (RR for tomato intake > 5 times/week vs. < 1 time/week = 0.30, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 0.12-0.74; p for trend = 0.003). Also for total ovarian cancer cases (fatal and nonfatal) the risk ratio (RR) for tomato intake > 5 times/week vs. < 1 time/week was 0.32, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 0.13-0.77; p for trend = 0.0005.

In the second study I examined the relation between physical activity and the three endpoints of ovarian cancer. There was no association between either leisure or occupational activity and ovarian cancer risk.

Thus, the findings from the first study implicate that vegetables (specifically tomatoes) and total fruits are associated with a risk reduction for the three endpoints of ovarian cancer among Adventist women in Southern California. The result is consistent with the findings of others. Our findings do not support a protective effect of leisure time or occupational physical activity on risk of ovarian cancer.

LLU Discipline

Epidemiology

School

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Synnove Knutsen

Second Advisor

Gray E. Fraser

Third Advisor

Pramil Singh

Fourth Advisor

Giske Ursin

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2002

Date (Title Page)

2002

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Ovarian Neooplasms -- prevention & control; Ovarian Neoplasms -- diet therapy; Life Style; Health Behavior; Food Habits; Diet

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

xx; 367

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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