Ovarian Cancer

What causes ovarian cancer?

The causes of ovarian cancer are not clear, but there are some known risk factors.

What are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?

• Older age – ovarian cancer is most often diagnosed in women aged 50 years and above. However, younger women can get it too.
  
• Had other cancers – women who have had breast cancer, colon cancer, cancer of the uterus or rectum.
• Family history of ovarian cancer – women who have inherited gene mutations (of breast cancer genes BRCA1 or BRCA2)
• Endometriosis – women who have a painful disorder where the womb lining (or endometrium) is found outside the womb.
• Never having been pregnant – women who have never had children or been pregnant.