Study finds incidence dropping in northern Europe, rising in southern, eastern Europe
Ovarian cancer incidence and death rates are dropping in most parts of northern Europe but are on the increase in a few southern and eastern European countries, says a large study in the Oct. 25 online issue of the International Journal of Cancer.

Europe has one of the highest incidence rates of ovarian cancer in the world.

French researchers reviewed data on ovarian cancer incidence and deaths in 28 European countries between 1953 and 2000. They found that, overall, there is a leveling of ovarian cancer rates across Europe. But while those rates are declining in most northern European countries, the rates are on the upswing in some eastern and southern countries.

These differences may be due to a number of factors, including the earlier and more extensive use of oral contraceptives by women in northern Europe. Oral contraceptives are believed to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Other factors may include changing lifestyle habits, changing patterns of hysterectomy and ovariectomy (removal of ovaries), and improvements in diagnostic techniques, the study said.

"There are, therefore, several reasons to believe that the diverse patterns of ovarian cancer incidence and mortality trends registered in Europe over the last four decades are largely real, and can be explained by a combination of changing risk factors for incidence and, additionally for mortality, improving treatment," the study authors wrote.

More information

The American Cancer Society has more about ovarian cancer.