REPRODUCTIVE FACTORS AND RISK OF THYROID-CANCER - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF 63,090 WOMEN FROM NORWAY

This prospective study of 63,090 Norwegian women with 124 cases of thyroid cancer diagnosed during 1961 1989 revealed no strong associations with reproductive factors. Late last birth was related to increased risk, whereas no association was noted with parity. A long reproductive period was related to increased risk of papillary carcinomas, whereas a decreased risk of follicular carcinomas and other adenocarcinomas was observed in women with early menarche and late menopause. The risk of thyroid cancer was significantly increased among women in the occupational category 'fishing, ships officers and crew'. Our results are consistent with a modest effect of certain reproductive factors upon thyroid cancer development.