Ovarian Cancer Protective Factors and Risk Factors

Peer Review Status: Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Information Service
First Published: June 2001
Last Revised: May 2003

Anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor. Anything that decreases the chance of developing a disease is called a protective factor. Prevention means avoiding the risk factors and increasing the protective factors that can be controlled so that the chance of developing cancer decreases.

The protective factors for ovarian cancer are:

• Oral contraceptives--Studies suggest the use of birth control pills may reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer if taken for at least five years.
• Childbearing and breast-feeding--Women who have had at least two children are less likely to develop ovarian cancer than women who have never had children. Studies also show that women who breastfeed at least one year over all pregnancies are less likely to develop ovarian cancer.
• Tubal ligation and hysterectomy--Researchers have found that women who have had their "tubes tied" or who have had their wombs removed are at decreased risk for ovarian cancer.

The risk factors that are known to increase the chance of developing ovarian cancer are:

• Family history--A woman whose mother or sister has had ovarian cancer has a higher-than-average risk of developing ovarian cancer.
• Hormone replacement therapy--HRT may be associated with an increase risk in postmenopausal women.
• Talcum powder--Use of talcum powder in the area between the vagina and rectum is considered to be a possible risk factor.
• Fertility drugs--Fertility drugs increase the risk of ovarian cancer nearly three-fold.
• High fat diet--Diet is being studied as a possible risk factor in ovarian cancer.

While women may not be able to control all of the risk or protective factors there are steps you can take. You can begin by talking with your doctor about your personal risk factors for ovarian cancer.