Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon Risk FactorsGeneticsLifestyle Risk FactorsScreeningFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Ovarian Cancer GuideHow Ovarian Cancer Is Diagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Risk Factors
Genetics
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Screening
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Ovarian Cancer Guide
Unlike some other cancers, it’s not exactly known what causesovarian cancer.However, hormonal, genetic, and lifestyle risk factors (including weight) may all play a role—likely in combination.
Being aware of your personal risk may not only point you to changes you can make to reduce that risk but heighten the attention you give to any symptoms you may experience so that you can bring them up with your healthcare provider as early as possible.
As you read on, it’s important to remember the difference between correlation (a risk factor isassociatedwith a disease) and causation (that risk factorbrings aboutthat disease). Having a risk factor forovarian cancerdoes not mean that you will develop the disease, even if your risk is high. Likewise, many people who developovarian cancerdo not have any of the known risk factors.
Cancer begins after a series of mutations in the genetic material (DNA) of cancer cells leads them to grow in an out-of-control fashion, almost as if they’re immortal. A number of theories about why this occurs have been proposed.
Estrogen Therapy
This may increase or decrease the risk of ovarian cancer, depending on the type.Hormone replacement therapy(HRT) may increase your risk of ovarian cancer, but only if you take estrogen-only medications.
Combined estrogen/progesterone HRT does not appear to raise a person’s risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Birth Control
Having a Child
Giving birth to a child before age 26 lowers your risk of developing ovarian cancer, as does breastfeeding. Having a first child over the age of 35, however, is linked with a slightly elevated risk.
Late Menopause
Late menopause is also associated with a higher risk.It could be that a greater number of ovulatory cycles plays a role in the development of these cancers. Ovulation does cause inflammation, and inflammation is associated with cancer, but the precise mechanism is still unknown.
Surgery
Endometriosis
Endometriosis, a condition in which tissue similar to uterine (endometrial) tissue grows outside of the uterus, is linked with a greater risk of ovarian cancer.
Infertility
It’s not certain at this time if fertility drugs (such as Clomid) raise the risk of ovarian cancer, though a history of infertility is associated with a higher risk. Studies looking at fertility drugs and ovarian cancer did not see an increase in the risk of epithelial ovarian tumors, but rather the less common (and usually much less aggressive) stromal cell tumors.
If you’ve watched the news and discussions aboutBRCA mutations, you probably realize that ovarian cancer can behereditary.But in this day and age when gene testing is so new, it’s important to talk about the difference between having a family history of cancer and having a known genetic mutation.
Having agenetic predispositionto cancer does not mean that you will develop the disease, even if you carry a genetic mutation.
Family History
Many believe that testing positive for a BRCA mutation is necessary for the development of ovarian cancer, which is not the case. There are a number of genes that increase the risk of ovarian cancer, only one of which is the BRCA gene.
At-Home Genetic TestingThe genetic test kits currently available to consumers only check for a few of the mutations that have been linked to breast and ovarian cancer. Hundreds of mutations can affect the BRCA genes—and not all of them cause cancer.
At-Home Genetic Testing
The genetic test kits currently available to consumers only check for a few of the mutations that have been linked to breast and ovarian cancer. Hundreds of mutations can affect the BRCA genes—and not all of them cause cancer.
If you have a family history of ovarian cancer (on either side of the family), your risk is increased. The risk is highest for those who have a first-degree relative who has had the disease, such as a mother, sister, or daughter. Having more than one relativewith the diseaseraises the risk further.
Here are other important facts to know in relation to your BRCA status:
If you suspect that BRCA gene mutations run in your family, talk to your healthcare provider aboutwho should have BRCA testing. If you are concerned, seeing a genetic counselor is important.
A genetic counselor looks for patterns in your family’s health history, especially the presence of other cancers that may be associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, including breast cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer.
In fact, some people may be deemed to have a higher risk of ovarian cancer based on their family history of such cancers than those who have a known mutation.
Ovarian Cancer Healthcare Provider Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Download PDF
Email AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Sign Up
Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
Family Cancer Syndromes
Up to 10 percent of ovarian cancers are related to one of the cancer family syndromes in which a specific gene mutation is present. Many of these syndromes are related to mutations in what are known astumor suppressor genes, which code for proteins that repair damaged DNA in cells. These include:
Height
Women who are tall are more likely to develop ovarian cancer than shorter women.It’s not known if this is related to height itself or the fact that height is tied to genetics that acts as a risk factor for ovarian cancer.
Lifestyle factors may play a role in the development of ovarian cancer, and many of these (unlike your family history) can be modified or controlled.
Obesity
Obesity is linked to an increased risk of low-grade serous and invasive mucinous tumors (types of epithelial ovarian cancer) but does not appear to increase the risk of high-grade invasive serous cancers. Obesity also appears to be associated more with premenopausal than postmenopausal cancers.
There are several mechanisms that have been proposed. One is the increase in estrogen associated with obesity (fatty tissue produces androgens that are converted to estrogens). Obesity also often causes the body to have increased levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) that may promote the development and growth of certain tumors.
Obesity also increases inflammation, which has been associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Unfortunately, women with obesity or overweight status are also at a greater risk of dying fromovarian cancerwhen present. Losing only five to 10 pounds may reduce your risk.
Talc Use
The use of feminine sprays and powders containing talc has been linked to ovarian cancer.Fortunately, it is fairly easy to eliminate this risk factor.
Diet
A few studies have found that a low-fat diet is associated with a lower risk of ovarian cancer, but there has been little evidence overall that diet plays a significant role.
Curcumin, a compound in the common curry ingredient turmeric, has been associated with a lower risk of ovarian cancer both in population studies and lab studies.
Though more research is needed, if you like the spice, it can’t hurt to incorporate it into your diet more often.
Smoking
There are no screening guidelines for this disease, primarily because screening has sadly not been found to reduce ovarian cancer-related deaths. Furthermore, such tests can lead to undesirable consequences, such as unnecessary surgery.
Early ScreeningHealthcare providers may recommend twice yearly transvaginal ultrasounds and CA-125 blood tests if you:have a family history of ovarian or related cancershave known genetic mutationsEarly screenings begin at age 35 or whatever age is 10 years younger than your relative was when they were diagnosed.
Early Screening
Healthcare providers may recommend twice yearly transvaginal ultrasounds and CA-125 blood tests if you:have a family history of ovarian or related cancershave known genetic mutationsEarly screenings begin at age 35 or whatever age is 10 years younger than your relative was when they were diagnosed.
Healthcare providers may recommend twice yearly transvaginal ultrasounds and CA-125 blood tests if you:
Early screenings begin at age 35 or whatever age is 10 years younger than your relative was when they were diagnosed.
Some healthcare providers may recommend twice yearly transvaginal ultrasounds and CA-125 blood tests (beginning at age 35 or whatever age is 10 years younger than when a relative was diagnosed) for those with a family history of ovarian or related cancers, or those with known mutations.
This is all the more reason to be sure to bring anysymptoms of ovarian cancer, even those that are subtle and vague, to the attention of your healthcare provider.
Some studies do show that hormone therapy that’sestrogenonly (ERT) or estrogen plusprogesterone(HRT) may increase your risk of ovarian cancer.ERT seems to carry the greatest risk. However, some studies are too small to form firm conclusions, and there’s conflicting research. It’s best to discuss with your healthcare provider the benefits and possible risks for you personally.
For most women, there is not a reason to be concerned especially if you have no family history of ovarian cancer and manage controllable risk factors such as weight, smoking, and diet. Ovarian cancer affects about 1.2% of women in their lifetime.About half of new diagnoses are in women 63 or older. If you’re concerned, talk to your healthcare provider about your personal risk level.Learn MoreHow Ovarian Cancer Is Treated
For most women, there is not a reason to be concerned especially if you have no family history of ovarian cancer and manage controllable risk factors such as weight, smoking, and diet. Ovarian cancer affects about 1.2% of women in their lifetime.About half of new diagnoses are in women 63 or older. If you’re concerned, talk to your healthcare provider about your personal risk level.
Learn MoreHow Ovarian Cancer Is Treated
How Ovarian Cancer Is Diagnosed
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.What Causes Ovarian Cancer?.
American Cancer Society.Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors.
National Cancer Institute.Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk.
American Cancer Society.Birth Control & Cancer: Which Methods Raise, Lower Risk.
Erekson EA, Martin DK, Ratner ES.Oophorectomy: the debate between ovarian conservation and elective oophorectomy. Menopause. 2013;20(1):110-4. doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e31825a27ab
ACOG Committee Opinion No. 774: Opportunistic salpingectomy as a strategy for epithelial ovarian cancer prevention.Obstet Gynecol. 2019;133(4):e279-e284. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003164
National Cancer Institute.Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer Treatment (PDQ)—Health Professional Version.
National Cancer Institute.BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing.
Dixon-suen SC, Nagle CM, Thrift AP, et al.Adult height is associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer: a Mendelian randomisation study. Br J Cancer. 2018;118(8):1123-1129. doi:10.1038/s41416-018-0011-3
Tworoger, S., and T. Huang.Obesity and Ovarian Cancer.Obesity and Ovarian Cancer. 2016. 208:155-176. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-42542-9_9
National Cancer Institute.Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)–Patient Version.
Henderson, J., Webber, E., and G. Sawaya.Screening for Ovarian Cancer: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.JAMA. 2018. 319(6):595-606. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.21421
Liu Y, Ma L, Yang X, et al.Menopausal hormone replacement therapy and the risk of ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis.Front Endocrinol. 2019;10:801. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00801
National Cancer Institute.BRCA gene mutations: Cancer risk and genetic testing.
National Cancer Institute. Cancer Stat Facts.Ovarian cancer.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
