Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors

The risk for epithelial ovarian cancer increases with age, especially around the time of menopause. An important risk factor is family history of epithelial ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, peritoneal cancer, premenopausal breast cancer and/or male breast cancer. Individuals with families affected by colon or endometrial cancer may also have an increased risk, as well as women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

A personal history of premenopausal breast cancer, as well as endometriosis and not having had children, are also risk factors for ovarian cancer.