Risk Factors

The main risk and protective factors for ovarian cancers include modifiable and non-modifiable parameters including familial genetic syndromes, demographic factors, medical conditions, and hormonal factors. The risk factors for fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers are similar to those of ovarian cancer.

Ovary
Factor Type Risk Factor Protective Factor References
Non-Modifiable Postmenopausal age

Caucasian race

Personal history of breast or endometrial cancer

Family history of ovarian cancer (1st or 2nd degree)

BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations

Lynch syndrome

Endometriosis		   [8-13]
Modifiable Nulliparity

Obesity

Infertility		 Oral contraceptive use

Breast feeding

Parity

Tubal ligation

Salpingo-oophorectomy		 [2, 11, 14]

Updated: June 8, 2018