Ovarian Cancer

Some women are at increased risk of ovarian cancer because they have a strong family history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer. They may also be at increased risk when a family member is known to have inherited a fault in a gene associated with breast or ovarian cancer.

In some cases ovarian cancer is due to mutations in the genes BRCA 1 (Breast Cancer 1) and BRCA 2 (Breast Cancer 2). Mutations in these genes also increase your risk of developing breast cancer.

Approximately 15% of ovarian cancers are caused by these gene mutations.

There’s no one cause of ovarian cancer, however genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors can all increase your risk.

Risk factors include:

• Having a family history of ovarian cancer, especially if a close relative such as your sister, mother or daughter has had ovarian cancer
• Increased age (the risk increases for women over 50 years of age)
• Cigarette smoking
• Obesity
• Having a family history of bowel or breast cancer
• Endometriosis (a condition where tissue that lines your uterus grows abnormally outside of the uterus)
• Having Ashkenazi Jewish descent
• Using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Over 7,000 women are diagnosed each year in the UK and if diagnosed at the earliest stage, 9 in 10 women will survive. Ovarian cancer is the 6th most common cancer in females in the UK.

There is no screening test to diagnose ovarian cancer. A blood test to test for CA125 – a common marker for ovarian cancer may be done, along with a physical examination and scans. However, only a biopsy can clinically diagnose ovarian cancer.

This is why knowing your body and being aware of any changes and symptoms is important.

Screening or surveillance is not recommended for women at high risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Although the exact cause of ovarian cancer is not known, there are some factors that can reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer.

These include:

• Pregnancy, breastfeeding and taking birth control reduce the frequency of egg production (ovulation) which is thought to decrease the risk of developing cancer of the ovary
• Tubal ligation (cutting and tying the fallopian tubes) as well as hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) are also thought to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, through the reduction of cancer-causing substances reaching the ovaries
• Maintaining a healthy weight – Obtain and maintain a BMI (body mass index) of between 18.5 – 25 kg/m.

More research is needed to determine the risk of ovarian cancer with regards to alcohol, diet, and the use of aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications.