Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors
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Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors
The ovaries, located on either side of the uterus, are the reproductive glands in women. These small almond-shaped glands produce the hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that are responsible for regulating reproductive processes, like menstruation and the different stages of pregnancy.
The ovaries also contain thousands of follicles (the structures containing the eggs, or ova) that, as they develop, are released during a process called ovulation. After the egg is released, it travels down the fallopian tube and enters the uterus. There, it either develops into a fetus if it was fertilized, or is shed with the menses (lining) during menstruation.
The American Cancer Society estimates that a woman's lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is about 1 in 71. The likelihood of a woman developing the disease may depend on certain risk factors.
Although a risk factor may affect the probability of getting ovarian cancer, there is not one factor (or a combination of factors) that can be used to determine if someone will get cancer. That is, having one or more ovarian cancer risk factors does not mean you will develop the disease. In some cases, people with multiple risk factors never develop ovarian cancer, whereas, in some cases, someone with no known risk factors may develop the disease.
Factors that May Increase the Likelihood of Ovarian Cancer:
- Older age - The probability of getting cancer generally increases with age. Ovarian cancer is found more often in post-menopausal women. The majority of women diagnosed with the disease are over 63 years of age.
- Obesity - There is some evidence that suggests women with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 may be at an increased risk of developing the disease.
- Personal history - Women who have had breast cancer may be more likely to also develop ovarian cancer.
- Inherited factors - Some women with a family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer are at an increased risk for ovarian cancer. There may be inherited genetic mutations that run in families. For example, the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 are associated with breast cancer, but may also cause ovarian cancer. That's why having had breast cancer, or a family history of breast cancer, may also increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Hormone therapy - Women taking estrogen after menopause may be at an increased risk, and the risk may be higher for those who have taken estrogen longer than 5 years. However, the combination of estrogen and progesterone may pose less of a risk than taking estrogen alone.
- Androgens - The role of androgens, male hormones, in the development of ovarian cancer is not well understood. A small study reported that taking Danazol (a drug that increases the levels of androgens) may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Infertility & fertility drugs - The risk of ovarian cancer may be higher for women who have trouble conceiving. It is not known if fertility drugs increase the risk of cancer or if the increased risk is because of the infertility (instead of the drugs).
Factors that May Decrease the Likelihood of Ovarian Cancer:
- Childbearing - Women who have had children are at a lower risk for developing ovarian cancer compared to women who have no children. The risk continues to decrease for women who have had more than one child.
- Oral contraception - Birth control pills may lower the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Tubal ligation - Having your "tubes tied" is a permanent form of birth control. And it seems that women who have had this procedure are up to two-thirds less likely to develop ovarian cancer.
- Hysterectomy - A women who has had her uterus removed (but the ovaries still in place) is less likely to develop ovarian cancer.
Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any of these risk factors, or a family history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer. Some women who know that they have the BRCA gene mutation may have their ovaries removed to reduce their risk of cancer. And women who are about to undergo a hysterectomy may also want to discuss with their doctor whether or not they should also have their ovaries removed at that time.
NOTE: Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer. Not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. If you think you may be at risk, you should discuss it with your doctor.
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