Ovarian Cancer Prevention
Ovarian cancer cannot be prevented in most cases, but women can take steps to decrease risk of developing the disease.
- Oral contraceptives: Women who have used birth control pills for more than five years reduce their risk by 50 percent, compared to women who have never taken oral contraceptives.
- Removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries: Studies show that removing the fallopian tubes and the ovaries in premenopausal women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation can reduce risk of ovarian cancer by 85 to 95 percent and breast cancer by 50 percent.
Ovarian Cancer Treatment
Women with ovarian cancer should consult a gynecologic oncologist to determine their specific treatment needs. Treatment for ovarian cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, or a combination. For younger patients whose cancer has not spread, it may be possible to save the unaffected ovary and fallopian tube to preserve fertility.