Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Causes of Cancer of the ovary

In most cases is cause of ovarian cancer is unknown.

There have been some risk factors that have been identified:

• Age. The risk of ovarian cancer increases with age. Most ovarian cancers occur after the menopause.
• Genetics. It is estimated that 5-10% of all ovarian cancers may be hereditary. The inherited gene mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that are linked to the development of breast cancer, also increases the risk of developing ovarian cancer. 
• Family history. A close family history of ovarian, breast or bowel cancer may increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
• The contraceptive pill. Taking the combined contraceptive pill reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. The longer you took the pill the more the risk is reduced.
• Having children. If you have not had any children your risk of developing ovarian cancer is slightly increased. The risk decreases with each pregnancy.

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