Ovarian Cancer: What Increases Your Risk

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What Increases Your Risk

Risk factors for ovarian cancer include:

• A family history. Between 10% and 20% of women with ovarian cancer have a close female relative who had ovarian or breast cancer.¹ Women with a family history may develop ovarian cancer at an earlier age, such as in their 40s, rather than at the more typical age of postmenopausal women in their 50s. Women who have BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have between a 16% and 60% chance of developing ovarian cancer during their lifetime.⁵
• Increasing age. Ovarian cancer most often affects postmenopausal women.
• Never having a baby.
• Starting menstrual cycles before age 12 and going through menopause at an older age. The more menstrual cycles you have, the more risk you have for ovarian cancer.
• Being unable to become pregnant (infertility). Women who do not use birth control and are sexually active but who are unable to become pregnant may have a higher chance for ovarian cancer.
• Use of estrogen or hormone replacement therapy. Some studies have shown that some women who use these hormones have a slightly increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, and other studies have shown no increased risk.^{6 7 8} In general, experts advise women considering hormone replacement therapy for symptoms of menopause to take the smallest dose possible to control symptoms, and to take the medicine for the shortest time that they can.
• Women who are of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry (Jews whose ancestors came from Eastern Europe) may have an increased risk because of changes to the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Women with this ancestry have higher rates of these gene changes.

  Should I have a gene test for breast and ovarian cancer?

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Elevated levels of male hormones (androgens) commonly found in PCOS may increase your risk for ovarian cancer.⁹
• A history of breast cancer. Women with a personal history of breast cancer or a family history of breast cancer have a higher risk for ovarian cancer.

More research is needed to confirm if certain other factors can increase a woman's chances of getting ovarian cancer, such as:

• Exposure to asbestos.⁶
• A history of endometriosis or ovarian cysts.¹⁰
• Smoking.⁶
• Diets high in lactose (a milk sugar), which is found in foods such as milk and ice cream.¹¹

Last updated:	July 10, 2007
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC