Every year in the United States, more than 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and nearly 13,000 die from the disease. While there’s no way to entirely prevent the development of ovarian cancer, there are some crucial steps you can take to reduce your risk.
At the Center for Urogynecology and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, board-certified OB/GYN Rafael J. Perez, MD, FACOG, and our team help women limit their ovarian cancer risk by playing a more proactive role in their health, with advanced cancer screenings and lifestyle changes aimed at optimizing their wellness.
Here, learn four things you can do to help reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Family history is one of the most important risk factors for ovarian cancer. In general, if a first-degree relative — your mother, sister, or daughter — has had ovarian cancer or breast cancer, it could be the result of a genetic mutation that significantly increases your risk.
In this instance, genetic counseling and other types of screening can play a key role in helping you manage that risk. Today, there are tests that use a sample of your blood or saliva to look for genetic mutations or special proteins associated with ovarian cancer (and other cancers, too).
While a positive screening result doesn't necessarily mean you'll develop cancer, it can motivate you to take other steps to reduce your risk. If your results are positive, Dr. Perez typically orders additional testing, like transvaginal ultrasound or tissue biopsy.
Ovarian cancer symptoms tend to be very subtle in the early stages of the disease, which is why it’s so important to have regular pelvic exams and Pap smears. As the disease progresses, it causes subtle but telltale symptoms, like bloating, lower belly pain, and increased urination.
Keep track of your symptoms. If you notice an increase in frequency or intensity or if they last longer than two weeks, call our office and schedule an evaluation right away. Some symptoms can be associated with another issue, like a digestive problem, but don’t ignore them. Catching ovarian cancer early is the best way to prevent serious complications.
Research shows that taking oral contraceptives — specifically the kind that feature both estrogen and progesterone — can lower your risk of ovarian cancer, especially when used for five years or longer. And the beneficial effect can last for decades after you stop taking the pills.
These pills suppress ovulation, limiting how often your ovaries release an egg. Researchers believe this may help reduce ovarian cancer risk by limiting ovulation-related cell damage that could lead to cancer cell growth.
Interestingly, the progesterone-only birth control shot (Depo-Provera®) helps lower your ovarian cancer risk, too.
Women with a significant risk of developing ovarian cancers may be candidates for surgery to remove their ovaries or their fallopian tubes. Nearly three-quarters of the most common and deadliest types of ovarian cancer begin in the fallopian tubes.
Adhering to healthy lifestyle habits can decrease your risk of ovarian cancer and other cancers, too, in part by giving your body the tools it needs to fight off disease. In fact, being overweight or obese and leading a sedentary lifestyle have been linked with increases in several types of cancer, including ovarian cancer.
Eat a balanced diet featuring plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains, limiting or avoiding processed foods and foods with added sugars. Work regular activity into your daily routine, and include 150 minutes of moderately brisk aerobic activity every week (daily 30-minute intervals are fine).
Having regular exams also helps monitor your reproductive health and reduce your risks of cancer and other serious health issues. If it’s been a while since your last exam, request an appointment with Dr. Perez and our team at the Center for Urogynecology and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery in South Miami, Florida, today.
