Ovarian Cancer
- Causes and Risk Factors
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.