Hormonal factors and melanoma in women.

The effect of exogenous hormones and reproductive factors on the risk of melanoma in women was investigated in a case-control study. Data from 91 women, aged from 15 to 81 years, and 91 matched controls were analysed in relation to use of oral contraceptives (OC), parity, age at the birth of the first child, and calculated length of ovulatory life. When potential confounding factors (including pigmentary characteristics and the lifetime exposure to sunlight were taken into account, there was no increase in risk of melanoma in relation to OC use, parity, or age at the birth of the first child. An unexplained association between melanoma and ovulatory life of greater length than 20 years was observed. The general findings of this study suggest that neither hormonal nor reproductive factors increase the risk of melanoma in women.