Regular Article

British Journal of Cancer (2000) 82, 1600–1604. doi:10.1054/bjoc.1999.1182 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 4 April 2000

Tubal ligation and risk of breast cancer

L A Brinton1, M D Gammon3, R J Coates4 and R N Hoover2

  1. 1Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Executive Plaza South, Rm. 7068, 6120 Executive Boulevard, MSC 7234, Bethesda, MD 20892-7234, USA
  2. 2Epidemiology and Biostatics Program, National Cancer Institute, Executive Plaza South, Rm. 7068, 6120 Executive Boulevard, MSC 7234, Bethesda, MD 20892-7234, USA
  3. 3Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400, USA
  4. 4Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA

Received 6 October 1999; Revised 26 October 1999; Accepted 24 October 1999.

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Abstract

Although it has been demonstrated in previous studies that tubal ligation can have widespread effects on ovarian function, including a decrease in the risk of subsequent ovarian cancer, few studies have evaluated effects on breast cancer risk. In a population-based case–control study of breast cancer among women 20–54 years of age conducted in three geographic areas, previous tubal ligations were reported by 25.3% of the 2173 cases and 25.8% of the 1990 controls. Initially it appeared that tubal ligations might impart a slight reduction in risk, particularly among women undergoing the procedure at young ages (< 25 years). However, women were more likely to have had the procedure if they were black, less educated, young when they bore their first child, or multiparous. After accounting for these factors, tubal ligations were unrelated to breast cancer risk (relative risk (RR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9–1.3), with no variation in risk by age at, interval since, or calendar year of the procedure. The relationship of tubal ligations to risk did not vary according to the presence of a number of other risk factors, including menopausal status or screening history. Furthermore, effects of tubal ligation were similar for all stages at breast cancer diagnosis. Further studies would be worthwhile given the biologic plausibility of an association. However, future investigations should include information on type of procedure performed (since this may relate to biologic effects) as well as other breast cancer risk factors. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign

Keywords:

breast cancer, tubal ligation, epidemiology

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