A risk factor is something that raises a person's chances of getting a disease or health problem. A person can have ovarian cancer with or without the risks below. The more risks a person has, the greater the chances are.
The most common risk factors, gender and age, cannot be changed. Ovarian cancer is more common in women over 60 years old. However, it can happen in younger women.
Other things that may raise the risk are:
Medical History
- History of breast , uterine , colon , or rectal cancers
- No pregnancies or breastfeeding
- Early first menstrual period
- Menopause started later than normal
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Obesity
- Endometriosis
Family History and Genetics
Ovarian cancer tends to run in families. This is especially true for first-degree relatives like a sister, daughter, or mother. A family history of other cancers can raise the risk of ovarian cancer. This includes a family history of colon, rectal, or breast cancers. These cancers can be linked with changes in certain genes. Gene changes are also linked to diseases that raise the risk of colon cancer. These include Lynch and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndromes.
Gene testing can be helpful for families with a high risk of ovarian cancer. The common gene changes are in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Women with these gene changes also have a higher risk for breast cancer.
References
Ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/ovarian/patient/ovarian-epithelial-treatment-pdq. Accessed March 29, 2022.
Ovarian cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/ovarian-cancer. Accessed March 29, 2022.
Ovarian cancer. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/gynecologic-tumors/ovarian-cancer. Accessed March 29, 2022.
Ovarian cancer risk factors. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html. Accessed March 29, 2022.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Nicole Meregian, PA
- Update Date: 03/29/2022