In English | En español
Questions About Cancer? 1-800-4-CANCER

Ovarian Cancer: Prevention, Genetics, Causes

Page Options

  • Print This Page
  • Email This Document

Popular Resources

NCI Highlights

Related Pages

Prevention

  • Ovarian Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)
    [ patient ] [ health professional ]
    Expert-reviewed information summary about factors that may influence the risk of developing ovarian cancer and about research aimed at the prevention of this disease.
  • Preventive Surgery Can Cut Risk of Ovarian and Fallopian Tube Cancers for BRCA1, BRCA2 Carriers
    Women who are at high risk of ovarian cancer because they carry mutated BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can reduce by about 80 percent their risk of developing this and other cancers of the reproductive organs by having preventive surgery to remove their ovaries and fallopian tubes, according to the July 12, 2006, Journal of the American Medical Association.
  • Ovary Removal Linked to Cognitive Problems, Dementia
    Women who had one or both ovaries removed before menopause for noncancer reasons faced an increased risk of developing cognitive problems or dementia later in life, according to the Sept. 11, 2007, issue of Neurology.

Genetics

  • Genetics of Breast and Ovarian Cancer (PDQ®)
    [ health professional ]
    Expert-reviewed information summary about the genetics of breast and ovarian cancer, including information about specific genes and family cancer syndromes. The summary also contains information about interventions that may influence the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer in individuals who may be genetically susceptible to these diseases. Psychosocial issues associated with genetic testing are also discussed.
  • BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing
    A fact sheet about the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, how BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations (changes) affect a person's risk of cancer, genetic testing for cancer risk, interpreting test results, and the benefits and risks of genetic testing.
  • Understanding Gene Testing
    Illustrates what genes are, explains how mutations occur and are identified within genes, and discusses the benefits and limitations of gene testing for cancer and other disorders.
  • Cancer Genetics Services Directory
    Directory of professionals who provide services related to cancer genetic risk assessment, counseling, and testing.
  • Cancer Genetics Overview (PDQ®)
    [ health professional ]
    Expert-reviewed information summary in which the features of hereditary cancer and the structure and content of other PDQ cancer genetics summaries are described. The summary also contains an extensive list of genetics resources available online.

Causes and Risk Factors

  • Oral Contraceptives Reduce Long-Term Risk of Ovarian Cancer
    Since they were first licensed nearly 50 years ago, birth control pills containing estrogen have prevented some 200,000 cases of ovarian cancer world-wide, estimate the authors of a study published January 26, 2008, in The Lancet.
  • Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk
    A fact sheet about research on the association of oral contraceptive use with risk of various cancers.
  • Risk of Ovarian Cancer from Hormone Therapy Confirmed
    Women who have taken hormone therapy are at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer than women who have not, according to a Danish study published in the July 15, 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
  • Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
    A collection of material about research related to the risks and benefits of hormone (HRT) medication taken to ease symptoms associated with menopause.
  • Ovarian Epithelial Tumors Traced to Fallopian Tubes
    The source of disease in many cases of the most aggressive form of ovarian cancer, serous carcinoma, may not be the ovary at all, but rather the fimbria of the fallopian tube, according to findings presented at the 2008 American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting.