Ovarian Cancer Prevention/Protection

There's no sure way to prevent ovarian cancer. But you may be able to reduce your risk of ovarian cancer if you:

• Consider taking birth control pills. Ask your doctor whether birth control pills may be right for you. Women who use oral contraceptives may have a reduced risk of ovarian cancer. But oral contraceptives do have risks, so discuss whether the benefits outweigh those risks based on your situation.
• Discuss your risk factors with your doctor. If you have a family history of breast and ovarian cancers, bring this up with your doctor. Your doctor can determine what this may mean for your own risk of cancer. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a genetic counselor who can help you decide whether genetic testing may be right for you. If you're found to have a gene mutation that increases your risk of ovarian cancer, you may consider surgery to remove your ovaries to prevent cancer.

Dietary Factors

First, consider your diet. Some studies suggest an association with a Western diet high in fat, refined sugar and red meat. Other reports suggest an increased risk with obesity. Although published studies are not all in agreement, flavonoids, which are antioxidant compounds found in plants, fruits, vegetables and tea, may be protective. Finally, Omega-3 fish oils have also been shown to lower risk. On balance, the data suggest that what you eat may affect your risk. However, while avoiding a fast-food high fat and high refined sugar Western diet may be prudent, the details of an ideal diet remain unclear. 

Pregnancy and "The Pill"

Pregnancy and oral contraception have been proven to reduce risk in multiple epidemiologic studies. Basically, the more years your ovaries are in a dormant non-ovulatory state, due to pregnancies or because of oral contraception, the lower the risk. The exact mechanism of prevention is unknown. It is felt to be related to either less trauma to the ovaries or a direct hormonal effect from progesterone (a hormone).

Vitamin A

Fenretidine, a synthetic type of Vitamin A, may protect women against both breast and ovarian cancer. Although the scientific studies are not all in agreement, the evidence is from multiple types of experimental studies including animal data, epidemiologic data and clinical trials. A large international randomized clinical trial is currently under way. 

Pain Relievers

Acetominophen and ibuprofen, common pain relief products, have both been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer; not so with aspirin use. The way they do this is not clear, but may be due to reducing ovulation or a biochemical effect on something called the COX-2 cyclooxygenase pathway.