Reproductive factors, oral contraceptives and risk of malignant melanoma: Western Canada Melanoma Study

Abstract

Beral et al. (1984) found an elevated risk of melanoma in women who used oral contraceptives for 5 years or more beginning at least 10 years prior to diagnosis of the tumour.A number of other studies however have found no consistent association between use of oral contraceptives and risk of melanoma (Bain et al., 1982;Kay, 1981; Helmrich et al., 1983)

A pooled analysis of 10 case–control studies of melanoma and oral contraceptive use

“…Eleven case -control studies met the analysis criteria (Beral et al, 1984;Holman et al, 1984;Gallagher et al, 1985;Green and Bain, 1985;Østerlind et al, 1988;Swerdlow et al, 1986;Elwood et al, 1990;Zanetti et al, 1990;Kirkpatrick et al, 1994;Langholz et al, 2000) and data were available for all but one of these (Beral et al, 1984). The investigators from all of the remaining studies agreed to take part.…”

“…The shape of the age incidence curve for melanoma resembles that of breast cancer and suggests a possible role of sex steroids and reproductive factors in the pathogenesis of both of these tumours. Indeed, women with a history of breast cancer appear to be at increased risk of melanoma and vice Gallagher et al, 1985;Green and Bain, 1985;Holly et al, 1995;Holman et al, 1984;Kirkpatrick et al, 1994;Langholz et al, 2000;Østerlind et al, 1988 andZanetti et al, 1990. versa (Schoenberg and Christine, 1980). Increased pigmentation, melanocytic proliferation, and tumour growth have been observed following oestrogen (and to a lesser extent progesterone) administration in experimental laboratory animals (Snell and Bischitz, 1960;Lopez et al, 1978).…”

“…However, these findings were based on a relatively small number of cases, and another cohort study found no excess risk (Adam et al, 1981). Subsequent case -control and cohort studies (Bain et al, 1982;Holly et al, 1983Holly et al, , 1995Holman et al, 1984;Helmrich et al, 1984;Beral et al, 1984;Gallagher et al, 1985;Green and Bain, 1985;Østerlind et al, 1988;Zanetti et al, 1990;Hannaford et al, 1991;Le et al, 1992;Palmer et al, 1992;Westerdahl et al, 1996;Gefeller et al, 1998;Smith et al, 1998;Feskanich et al, 1999) provided little evidence of an overall excess risk among ever users compared to never users, but a possible increase among long-term users (summarised in (Prentice and Thomas, 1987)). More recently, data from the Nurse's Health Studies indicated a risk of melanoma related to duration of oral contraceptive use, but only among current users (Feskanich et al, 1999).…”

Anthropometric factors and risk of melanoma in women: A pooled analysis

“…Moreover, only a few studies have examined associations according to histologic subtype 14,15,25 or menopausal status, 7,8 which may be important given the possible link between reproductive and hormonal factors and risk of melanoma in women. 6,14,[26][27][28][29][30][31] The prevalence of overweight and obesity is growing dramatically in most parts of the world, and generally is higher in women than in men. 32 This is predicted to have major consequences on the incidence of obesity-related diseases.…”

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Interpretation of the results has been hampered by differences in methodology and inconsistent approaches to defining overweight and obesity. Moreover, only a few studies have examined associations according to histologic subtype 14,15,25 or menopausal status, 7,8 which may be important given the possible link between reproductive and hormonal factors and risk of melanoma in women. 6,14,[26][27][28][29][30][31] The prevalence of overweight and obesity is growing dramatically in most parts of the world, and generally is higher in women than in men.…”