Current Understanding of Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer. Unlike many cancers such as breast, cervical and colon cancers, there is no easily clinically identifiable pre-malignant phase of this malignancy making early identification difficult. Similarly, unlike lung, head and neck, and skin cancers, there is not easily identifiable risk factor making prevention short of oophorectomy difficult. Even so, theories as to the causative factors of ovarian cancer continue to evolve making our understanding of the genesis of ovarian cancer more clear. Genetics, parity, environment, hormonal factors, and inflammation all play an important and pivotal role in the development of ovarian cancer. The most current understanding of these elements and their respective contribution to the development of this cancer are presented in this chapter.

Genome-wide association study identifies new susceptibility loci for epithelial ovarian cancer in Han Chinese women

“…In addition to familial BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, there are other kinds of genetic risk factors, including common genetic variants of lower penetrance 2,3 . Molecular epidemiological studies have been conducted with the candidate gene approach to identify low penetrance susceptibility genes for ovarian cancer, many of which have showed inconsistent results [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] .…”

Awareness of Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer among Gynecology Nurses in a Large Teaching Hospital in the UK (Awareness of Ovarian Cancer among Gynecology Nurses)

“…Several factors play an important role in its development including heritable (breast cancer susceptibility gene) BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation which is the greatest risk factor and accounts for 5-15% of ovarian cancer cases [9,10], hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer gene (HNPCC) mutation, family history of ovarian cancer and personal history of primary breast cancer and colon cancer [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Other risk factors for ovarian cancer include age over 45 years (and especially over 60 years), nulliparity, infertility, low parity, early menarche and late menopause or normal menopause with hot flushes [17][18][19]. Chances of developing ovarian cancer are also greater with long term use of post-menopausal oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy, high body mass index, endometriosis, and perineal talcum powder application [20][21][22][23].…”

Vitamin D Receptor Gene BsmI and FokI Polymorphisms in Relation to Ovarian Cancer Risk in the Polish Population

“…Ovarian cancer may develop in different parts of the ovary; however, *90% of malignant ovarian tumors arise from ovarian epithelium (Romero and Bast, 2012). Risk factors for ovarian cancer include advancing age, infertility, inflammation, environmental factors, positive family history of ovarian, uterine, breast, or colon tumors associated with mutations of BRCA1 or BRCA2, mismatch repair genes, or TP53 (Sueblinvong and Carney, 2009). Risk is also related to the number of ovulatory cycles and is halved in women using oral contraceptives, those with greater parity, or those who breast-fed long-term (Brekelmans, 2003;Sueblinvong and Carney, 2009;Romero and Bast, 2012).…”