How can I protect myself from ovarian cancer?
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Dr. Scott Kamelle of Aurora Health Care answered:The oral contraceptive pill can substantially reduce the risk of ovarian cancer if taken longer than 3 years. Maximum protection is obtained if taken for 5 years. After 5 years, the protection does not significantly increase. Knowing your family history is also a method of protection. Patients with a first degree relative (defined as a sister, mother, father or brother with breast or ovarian cancer) or a patient who themselves has been diagnosed with early-onset (before the age of 50) breast cancer, should meet with a genetic counselor. Genetic counseling will result in a meticulous evaluation of a person's family tree and ultimately quantify their risk of getting ovarian cancer. If this risk is around 10%, the counselor will likely offer genetic testing for BRCA. BRCA is an abnormality n the human genetic code that is known to play a role in the development of hereditary ovarian and breast cancer. Other hereditary syndromes include a strong family history of colon cancer. This syndrome known as non-polyposis colon cancer syndrome also increases the risk of developing both ovarian and uterine cancer.
The oral contraceptive pill can substantially reduce the risk of ovarian cancer if taken longer than 3 years. Maximum protection is obtained if taken for 5 years. After 5 years, the protection does not significantly increase. Knowing your family... More -
Dr. David Fishman of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:There is no known way to prevent ovarian cancer. However, lower rates of ovarian cancer have been detected in women who:
- Have used birth control pills for more than five years
- Have had their "tubes tied" (tubal ligation)
- Have had both ovaries and fallopian tubes removed
- Have had a hysterectomy
- Have had multiple births
There is no known way to prevent ovarian cancer. However, lower rates of ovarian cancer have been detected in women who: Have used birth control pills for more than five years Have had their "tubes tied" (tubal ligation) Have had both ovaries... More -
Healthwise answered:You cannot control some things that put you at risk for ovarian cancer, such as your family history or inheriting gene changes. But you can make some personal choices that lower your risk of cancer and other diseases.
- Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Be active. Talk with your doctor about what kinds of activity and how much activity would be good for you.
If you are at high risk for ovarian cancer - If you are concerned about your risk for ovarian cancer, talk with your doctor. You may be a good candidate for taking birth control pills. Taking birth control pills for 5 years has been shown to reduce ovarian cancer risk by 50%. The protection lasts for many years after the pills are taken. But birth control pills have been linked to a slight increase in breast cancer and may have other health risks, so talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits before taking birth control pills.
If you are at a very high risk because of your family history, you may want to have gene testing. Women at very high risk because of inherited genes may want to have surgery to remove their ovaries and fallopian tubes. This is usually done between the ages of 35 and 40, or when women are finished having children. Having this surgery greatly reduces a woman's risk for ovarian cancer, but it will cause a woman to start menopause early, which may have other risks.
You cannot control some things that put you at risk for ovarian cancer, such as your family history or inheriting gene changes. But you can make some personal choices that lower your risk of cancer and other diseases. Eat a healthy diet with... More
