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Lactose Absorption Linked To Ovarian Cancer


WESTPORT, Jul 15 (Reuters Health) - Lactose malabsorption may increase the risk of ovarian cancer in women by more than 2.5-fold, according to results from an Italian case-control study. Populations with high rates of hypolactasia also appear to have higher than average rates of ovarian cancer, Dr. Gian Franco Meloni, of the University of Sassari, Italy, and multinational colleagues explain in the July 15th issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology. To further examine this link, they examined lactose persistence in 50 women with ovarian cancer and 100 controls using a breath hydrogen test.

Nearly one-third of ovarian cancer patients were characterized as "lactose absorbers," compared with only 15% of controls. Based on these data, the authors calculate that the risk of ovarian cancer in lactose absorbers is increased 2.51-fold compared with women with normal lactose digestion. The findings provide additional support for "...the role of galactose as an oocyte toxin," Dr. Meloni and others write, and suggest "...that lactose ingestion and lactase persistence may play a role in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer." Am J Epidemiol 1999;150:183-186.

Ellen

elevine@cooper.cpmc.org

Ellen G. Levine, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Research Director

Psychosocial Oncology

California Pacific Medical Center

2330 Post St., Suite 510

San Francisco, CA 94115

415-885-7491