Common Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer 

Women with certain risk factors may be more likely than others to develop ovarian cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of developing a disease.

Studies have found the following risk factors for ovarian cancer:

• Family history of cancer: Women who have a mother, daughter, or sister with ovarian cancer have an increased risk of the disease.
  
  
• Personal history of cancer: Women who have had cancer of the breast, uterus, colon, or rectum have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
  
  
• Age over 55: Most women are over age 55 when diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
  
  
• Never pregnant: Older women who have never been pregnant have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
  
  
• Menopausal hormone therapy. Some studies have suggested that women who take estrogen by itself (estrogen without progesterone) for 10 or more years may have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

The above information was compiled from the following sources. For more  detailed information please go to these sites:

• American Cancer Society  - search ovarian cancer
• National Cancer Institute - search ovarian cancer
• Ovarian Cancer National Alliance