Luo J, Rohan TE, Neuhouser ML, et al. - Researchers examined the links between hysterectomy, oophorectomy and risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), as well as they determined if the links were altered by exogenous estrogen, frequently employed in women who have received hysterectomy. Participants were 144,599 postmenopausal women aged 50-79 years at enrollment (1993-1998) in the Women's Health Initiative. These women were observed for a mean of 15.9 years. Participants self reported hysterectomy and oophorectomy. Via physician review of medical records and pathology reports, incident RCC cases were verified. Findings of this large prospective analysis revealed the presence of 28% increased risk of RCC in women with a history of hysterectomy. This finding remained unaltered by exogenous hormone use.