The Risk Of Ovarian Cancer
By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any gynecologic cancer. One of the reasons is that it is very difficult to detect it early.
There are certain things that put a woman at greater risk and they include having a family history of ovarian cancer, being obese, using fertility drugs, and being older, especially after menopause. There are inherited genes associated with breast cancer that also increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
The genes are brca1 and brca2. We akso know there are things that reduce the risk, including having children, having tubes tied and using oral contraceptives.
Genetic testing is one of our key weapons but we still need effective screening tests.
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