Reducing Your Risk of Ovarian Cancer

At this time, there are no specific guidelines for the prevention of ovarian cancer because the cause is unknown; however, women who have had children and who have breastfed them are at lower risk for developing ovarian cancer.

Genetic testing may help identify patients who should consider having a salpingo-oophorectomy . This procedure involves removing both ovaries and the fallopian tubes. It may be done, in some cases, to prevent ovarian cancer in high-risk women, such as:

Women with a first degree relative with ovarian or breast cancer
Women who have had breast cancer before age 40
Women who test positive for a genetic mutation (BRCA1 or BRCA2)

The surgery is the only proven method to reduce the risk of getting this often fatal disease.

To reduce your risk:

Have an annual health checkup with a pelvic exam
Maintain a healthy weight so the doctor can easily feel your ovaries

References

Kasper DL, Harrison TR. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998.

Ovarian cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/ovarian/ . Accessed April 8, 2009.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Igor Puzanov, MD
Review Date: 09/2012
Update Date: 00/91/2012

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.