Adult lifetime alcohol consumption and invasive epithelial ovarian cancer risk in a population-based case–control study

Abstract Objective Meta-analyses report a null association between recent alcohol consumption and ovarian cancer risk. However, because few studies investigated different types of alcohol over adult ages, we investigated adult lifetime and type (beer, wine, spirits) of consumption and risk. Methods Consumption after age 20 years was ascertained in 1144 invasive epithelial ovarian cancer cases and 2513 controls in a population-based case–control study (Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, 2001–2012). Non-drinkers consumed any types of alcohol < 12 times per year on average. Logistic regression was use to estimate adjusted odds ratios [aOR] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]. Results Wine consumption was associated with a risk reduction (aOR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.50–0.88) relative to non-drinkers, but not beer (aOR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.71–1.58) or spirits (aOR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.69–1.39). The reduced risk was stronger for exclusive red wine drinkers (aOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.19–0.92) than white wine drinkers (aOR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.46–1.34), although most women drank both types of wine. Risk decreased with increasing cumulative consumption of any wine (P-trend < 0.05) and was evident for the serous histotype. Wine consumption initiated prior to age 50 was associated with a risk reduction (e.g., at 40–49 years, aOR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.42–0.78), but not drinking initiated after 50 years of age. For any type, level, or age at initiation of alcohol consumption, we found no increased risks. Conclusions For the moderate consumption in this study, higher levels of wine consumption were generally associated with risk reductions; reductions may be stronger for red wine. Our results suggest that alcohol consumption that is guideline concordant will not increase epithelial ovarian cancer risk.