Summary of Evidence
Reproductive History and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)/Hormone Therapy (HT)
Prophylactic Oophorectomy
Note: Separate PDQ summaries on Screening for Ovarian Cancer and Ovarian
Epithelial Cancer Treatment are also available.
Reproductive History and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)/Hormone Therapy (HT)
Oral contraceptive use, having had at least one full term pregnancy, and
having breast fed are associated with a reduced risk of ovarian
cancer. Hormone
replacement therapy (HRT), also called hormone therapy (HT), in postmenopausal women may be associated with an
increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Tubal ligation and hysterectomy may also be
associated with a decreased incidence of ovarian malignancy.
Level of Evidence - 3aii: Evidence obtained from well-designed and conducted cohort and case-control
studies, preferably from more than one center or research group, that have a
cancer incidence endpoint.
Prophylactic Oophorectomy
Prophylactic oophorectomy is generally reserved for women at high risk of developing ovarian cancer, such as women who have a deleterious mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Prophylactic oophorectomy is associated with a reduced risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Level of Evidence - 3aii: Evidence obtained from well-designed and conducted cohort and case-control
studies, preferably from more than one center or research group, that have a
cancer incidence endpoint.
- 5: Opinions of respected authorities based on clinical experience or reports of
expert committees.
Back to Top
Next Section > |