What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk of Ovarian Cancer?

There is no known way to prevent ovarian cancer, but these things are associated with a lower chance of getting ovarian cancer—

• Having used birth control pills for five or more years.*
• Having had a tubal ligation (getting your tubes tied), both ovaries removed, or a hysterectomy (an operation in which the uterus, and sometimes the cervix, is removed).*
• Having given birth.*
• Breastfeeding. Some studies suggest that women who breastfeed for a year or more may have a modestly reduced risk of ovarian cancer.*

*While these things may help reduce the chance of getting ovarian cancer, they are not recommended for everybody, and risks and benefits are associated with each. Avoiding risk factors may lower your risk, but it does not mean that you will not get cancer. Talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk.