What are risk factors for ovarian cancer?
The cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, but there are certain risk factors that indicate an increase in a woman’s chance of developing ovarian cancer. The following have been suggested as risk factors for ovarian cancer: • early menarche – starting monthly periods early – before the age of 12 • late menopause (after the age of 52) • age-over the age of 50 • hormone replacement therapy Some studies have suggested that women who use hormone replacement therapy after menopause may have a slightly increased risk of ovarian cancer. • infertility (inability to become pregnant) • having a first child after the age of 30 • personal history of breast or colon cancer • family history First-degree relatives (such as mother, daughter, sister) of a woman who has had ovarian cancer are at a risk for developing the disease. The risk increases if two or more first-degree relatives have had ovarian cancer. A family history of breast or colon cancer is also associated with an increased risk of developin
