Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors
Ovarian cancer risk is influenced by a combination of modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and hormone therapy use plus non-modifiable factors including age, genetics, and reproductive history. Awareness and management of modifiable risks alongside genetic counselling for high-risk individuals are key to prevention strategies.
Lifestyle/Modifiable Risk Factors
Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of a subtype called mucinous ovarian cancer. The risk grows with the length of time a woman smokes. 1–5,7,8
Obesity and Overweight: Being overweight or obese is linked with a higher risk of ovarian cancer. Early adulthood obesity notably raises this risk. 1,2,4–6,8
HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy): Use of oestrogen-only HRT, especially for long durations (10 years or longer), slightly increases ovarian cancer risk.1–6,8,9
Diet and Exercise: Although lifestyle changes like a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, and weight management are known to reduce cancer risk overall, their specific impact on ovarian cancer is less clear but considered beneficial.1,3,4
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
Age: Ovarian cancer risk increases with age, predominantly after 50 years. 2–8
Family history and genetic factors: Inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes significantly increase ovarian cancer risk (44% and 17% cumulative risk to age 80, respectively). 3–6,8 Other genes associated with increased risk include those linked to Lynch syndrome, BRIP1, RAD51C, and RAD51D.5,8 Having first-degree relatives with ovarian or breast cancer also raises risk. 2,4–6
Reproductive History: Factors such as early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after 55), never having been pregnant (nulliparity), or having the first child after age 30 increase risk. 3,4,6,7. Conversely, pregnancies and use of oral contraceptives tend to reduce risk. 2
Personal History of Breast Cancer: This increases a woman's ovarian cancer risk even without BRCA mutations. 4
Other sources of information
1: https://ovarian.org.uk/ovarian-cancer/ovarian-cancer-prevention/
2: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/ovarian-cancer/risks-causes
3: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10477765/
4: https://www.moffitt.org/cancers/ovarian-cancer/diagnosis/risk-factors/
5: https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/about-ovarian-cancer/risk
6: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20375941
7: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/ovarian-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
8: https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/ovarian-cancer/what-are-risk-factors-ovarian-cancer