Critical Appraisal of Epidemiological Study on Ovarian Cancer Analysis

This report provides a critical appraisal of an epidemiological study concerning ovarian cancer. The report examines the study's methodology, including the identification of confounding factors such as BMI, age, smoking status, and dietary habits. The analysis explores whether the study adequately addressed these factors and assesses the validity and reliability of the study's outputs. The report also considers the clarity of the exposure period and the relationship between cruciferous vegetable intake and ovarian cancer. The report concludes that while the study identifies relevant factors, the handling of confounding elements and clarity regarding exposure periods could be improved. The analysis highlights the importance of considering dietary factors, particularly cruciferous vegetables, in relation to ovarian cancer risk and prevention.

Critical Appraisal Of
Epidemiological Study

INTRODUCTION
Ovarian cancer refers to a kind of cancer which begins in the ovaries in female
reproductive system. A female reproductive system contains a pair of ovaries in size of almonds
having a function of producing ova and hormones like oestrogen and progesterone. However, the
risk factors that are facilitating development of ovarian cancer includes older age, family history,
reproductive history and obesity (Elwood, 2017). The treatment methods for ovarian cancer
involves surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The present report will focus on appraising
epidemiological study related to ovarian cancer.
MAIN BODY
6. Were the confounding components are determined related to ovarian cancer?
Yes, the confounding factors are determined which are responsible for development of
ovarian cancer in women. It includes body mass index (BMI), age, smoking status, education,
family history of ovarian cancer, parity, lifestyle (smoking), overall intake of fruits, overall meat
consumption as well as entire of vegetables belongs to cruciferae family. However, these factors
are responsible for creating a medical condition of ovarian cancer. In addition to this, it has been
analysed that meal of an individual plays an important role in developing or reducing risks of
occurring ovarian cancer (Cruz, Fernandes and Oliveira, 2016). Moreover, it is evaluated that
impact of vegetables of brassicaceae family are inversely connected by health problem of cancer
of ovary. Meanwhile, it has been studied that crucifiers contains great standards of
glucosinolates that are known as phytochemicals which may be transformed into isothiocyanates
(ITC) at the time of food preparation & digestion. Furthermore, these ITCs are responsible for
conducting anti cancer activities such as inhibiting tumorigenesis, sterilization of chemical

reactions of carcinogens, inducing apoptosis & autophagy, inhibits angiogenesis & metastasis,
arresting cell proliferation, suppressing inflammatory mediators, activating immune defences,
impacting cancer cell energetics & metabolism and producing reactive oxygen species.
7. Were the practices mentioned that helps in dealing with confounding elements?
Unclear, the practices to handle the confounding elements has not been stated regarding
each components in order to prevent the ovarian cancer on women. There are number of
confounding elements including body mass index (BMI), age, smoking status, education,
medical history of family having cancer of ovary, parity, lifestyle (smoking), total fruit
consumption, overall intake of meat as well as all uptake of vegetables belongs to crucifereae
family. However, it has been analysed that strategy for cruciferous vegetables is provided in
given article that consumption of brassicaceae family vegetables are inversely associated with
development of cancer related to ovary. Basically, it is a kind of strategy for women to intake
such vegetables to avoid the problem of ovarian cancer respectively. Apart from this, there is no
explanation of strategies about rest of the confounding factors in respect of preventing the
selected health problem. Hence, the strategies are not clear to deal with confounding factors of
ovarian cancer (Walsh and Selkoe, 2016).
8. Were the outputs evaluated in reliable, standards and valid manner for cases and controls?
Yes, it has been analysed that the output were evaluated in valid, reliable and standard
manner for cases & controls regarding ovarian cancer. It has been analysed that proper
description features of cancer linked to ovary cases and hospital controls. Meanwhile, it is
observed that appropriate tabular description has been given about connection among cancer of
ovary & brassicaceae family vegetables and other food groups interest and connection among
ovarian cancer & specific cruciferous vegetables through explanation. Moreover, it also provide
information about effectiveness of raw and cooked cruciferous vegetables in context of
preventing development of ovarian cancer. Additionally, meta analysis has been preferred to
examine implementation of cruciferous vegetables in diet that indicates inverse connection
among these food items and ovarian cancer (Pollock, Abji and Gladman, 2017). The selected
women has been undergone diagnosis of invasive cancer of ovary, peritoneum, fallopian tube
and females without cancer with at least one intact ovary, matched to the cases on five year age
strata.

9. Is it analysed that period of exposure of interest is sufficiently enough to be considered as
meaningful?
Unclear, the exposure period of study discussed in given article is not clear because it
states that Patient Epidemiology Data System (PEDS) has been used for investigating about
ovarian cancer. It is a hospital based, case control analysis of self reported cruciferous intake and
ovarian cancer among 675 women with primary incident ovarian cancer and 1275 without
cancer. It is not clearly mentioned about proper comparative study among females intake
cruciferous vegetables or not in order to determine benefits if these food items.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that ovarian cancer is health problems
which starts from ovaries situated in female reproductive system. It consist the connection
between cruciferous vegetables and ovarian cancer which is inversely proportional to each other.
Moreover, the confounding factors like lifestyle, age, BMI etc. are responsible for developing
ovarian cancer.