Five major risk factors for ovarian cancer

The cause of ovarian cancer, like other cancers, has not yet been fully clarified, but its main predisposing factors include: no childbearing and breastfeeding, early menarche and late menopause, family history of cancer, frequent exposure to talc and asbestos, and a high-fat diet.

1. Not pregnant or breastfeeding

Studies have shown that being unmarried and childless (infertility) are high-risk factors for ovarian cancer. Compared with women with a history of pregnancy and childbirth, women without a history of pregnancy and childbirth have a 1.7 times higher risk. Therefore, pregnancy can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. The more pregnancies and cumulative months of pregnancy, the lower the risk of ovarian cancer. The first pregnancy has the strongest protective effect, reducing the risk of ovarian cancer by 40%. Miscarriage, stillbirth and ectopic pregnancy can also reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

2. Early menarche and late menopause

Reports have shown that the more ovulation cycles a woman has in her lifetime, the greater her risk of ovarian cancer. Therefore, early menarche and late menopause are one of the risk factors for ovarian cancer.

3. Family history of cancer

Ovarian cancer tends to run in families. In addition, a family history of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and colorectal cancer also increases the risk of ovarian cancer.

4. Exposure to talc and asbestos

Experimental studies have shown that talcum powder and asbestos can migrate into the abdominal cavity, causing atypical hyperplasia of the ovarian epithelium, thereby increasing the risk of ovarian cancer. Foreign studies have found that the incidence of ovarian cancer in asbestos workers is higher than that of the general population.

5. High-fat diet

High animal fat intake increases the risk of ovarian cancer. Drinking whole milk every day can also increase the risk of ovarian cancer. The more you drink, the greater the risk. Drinking skim milk reduces the risk.