It is believed that 5 to 10 percent of the 26,600 ovarian cancer cases are hereditary. 90 to 95 percent of the cases are of unknown origin. Diet can play a role in ovarian cancer. Many women who take fertility drugs never develop ovarian cancer. Actually, using birth control pills can decrease a woman s risk of ovarian cancer by 40 to 50 percent.
Studies show different results for women taking estrogen replacement therapy.
Some report a decreased risk of ovarian cancer while others report an increased risk. It is important to note that in one study that reported a slightly increased risk for the development of ovarian cancer with long-term use of ERT, patients primarily were treated with a higher dose than is recommended today. Once the ovaries are removed, you cannot develop ovarian cancer. This carcinoma looks and acts like ovarian cancer, is treated like ovarian cancer, however is not ovarian cancer. No, ovarian cancer can be diagnosed early.