7 ovarian cancer risk factors and what you should know

In this blog, we want to raise awareness of the 7 risk factors of ovarian cancer and what you should know about early detection.

Ovarian cancer is a rare but serious disease. About 1,800 women in Australia diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. Survival remains low with only 49% of women living beyond 5 years of diagnosis.

However, understanding the risk factors of ovarian cancer and the benefits of early detection can lead to better outcomes.

What increases ovarian cancer risk?

There are a range of factors that increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer – though the exact causes are largely unknown. Risk factors include:

1. Age

Ovarian cancer is most common in people over the age of 50 after periods have stopped. The risk increases with age.

2. Genetic factors

Up to 1 in 5 serous ovarian cancers (the most common subtype) are linked to an inherited faulty gene, and a smaller proportion of other types of ovarian cancer are also related to genetic faults.

3. Family history

Having close blood relatives (e.g. mother, sister) diagnosed with ovarian, uterine, breast or bowel cancers, or having Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry can increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

4. Endometriosis

Having endometriosis, a condition caused by tissue from the lining of the uterus growing outside the uterus, may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

5. Reproductive history

Women who have not had children, who have had assisted reproduction (e.g. in-vitro fertilisation or IVF), or who have had children after the age of 35 may be slightly more at risk.

6. Lifestyle factors

Some types of ovarian cancer have been linked to smoking or carrying extra weight.

7. Hormonal factors

An early puberty or a late menopause may be factors increasing the risk of ovarian cancer.

Some studies have suggested that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) – formerly called hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – may slightly increase the risk of ovarian cancer if taken for 5 years or more, but the risk is very low.

What you can do to reduce your risk of ovarian cancer

Some factors may reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer. These include:

• Having children before the age of 35
• Breastfeeding
• Using the combined oral contraceptive pill for several years
• Remove the fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) if you are at high risk

Finding ovarian cancer early

There is no test for the early detection of ovarian cancer. Screening tests, such as the Pap test and new HPV test, don’t detect ovarian cancer. It is essential to be aware of the risk factors and know your body so you can recognise any symptoms. These include:

• A swollen or bloated abdomen
• Pain in the abdomen, pelvis or back
• Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly
• Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation and diarrhoea
• Unexplained weight loss or gain
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Pain during sexual intercourse.

These symptoms are common to many conditions, and most women with them will not have ovarian cancer. If you experience any of these symptoms and they are unusual for you, see your doctor.

Learn more about ovarian cancer symptoms.

To learn more, visit our ovarian cancer information page.

If you need to talk about cancer, call Cancer Council on 13 11 20.