When you hear the words ovarian cancer, you might feel nervous or worried. If you find yourself tuning out of conversations about risk factors because they give you anxiety — it's probably not just you.
Ovarian cancer can be sneaky, and many early symptoms can go undetected or undiagnosed. But knowing what to look out for — and how to reduce your risk — can give you more confidence in your own health.
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While it can be tempting to avoid talking about topics that feel overwhelming — like your risk for ovarian cancer — this can stop people from understanding the power they have and the risk factors they have some control over.
Here are 3 factors that can lower your risk of ovarian cancer.
1. Birth Control and Oral Contraceptives
In addition to preventing pregnancy and regulating your menstrual cycle, taking an oral contraceptives (also commonly called "the pill") has the added benefit of lowering your risk for certain cancers, including ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer and endometrial cancer.
While it's not 100% clear why birth control has an impact on ovarian cancer risk, some studies point to the fact that when you are taking an oral contraceptive you may experience fewer ovulations throughout your life.
Oral contraceptives may also increase your risk of other cancers, like breast cancer and cervical cancer. There are risks and benefits with any procedure, treatment, or drug, so it’s important to talk to your Chester County Hospital provider if you are considering different birth control options. They can help you figure out what might be the best fit for your body.
2. Pregnancy
When you're getting ready to have a baby, your to-do list might be long. You may have tons of tasks to complete before your baby arrives — like painting a nursery or figuring out where you want to deliver. You might also be thinking about all the different moments you're looking forward to, like your baby's first smile or first steps.
Other parts of pregnancy are less fun and can be challenging. With so many different things on your mind, you may not even consider this benefit of pregnancy — that it can lower your risk for ovarian cancer.
"Your risk for ovarian cancer goes down when you become pregnant and carry your baby to term, and also decreases each time you are pregnant and carry the full term," explains Robert L. Giuntoli, II, MD, surgical oncologist at Chester County Hospital. While your bundle of joy is exciting enough, lowering your risk for ovarian cancer is also a great reason to celebrate!
3. Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding, you may take a prenatal breastfeeding class, meet with a lactation specialist, or do some research online. All of these activities can highlight the benefits of breastfeeding for both the parents and the baby.
You may know that breastfeeding can protect your baby from different illnesses while giving them the nutrients they need to grow big and strong. You may have also learned that breastfeeding can lower your baby's risk for asthma, stomach bugs and other illnesses by passing them antibodies through breast milk.
While you're focusing on all of the benefits for your baby, you might not think about the benefits for you too! Breastfeeding can reduce your risk for Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain ovarian cancers.
Understanding Your Risk Factors
Just like life, when it comes to your risk factors for ovarian cancer, there are some things you might be able to influence — and some things that are just beyond your control.
Your genetics can also impact your chances of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Certain types of cancer often run in families, including ovarian cancer.
You may have a higher risk for ovarian cancer if an immediate family member (like your mother or sister) has had ovarian cancer, breast cancer or colorectal cancer. It might seem like these are three random cancers listed together, but they are caused by a mutation on the same gene that is passed through families.
You may also be at a higher risk if hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) is in your family's medical history. HBOC is a genetic condition that affects two different genes in your body: BRCA1 and BRCA2. Mutations in these genes can lead to an increased risk for ovarian cancer.
Knowing your family's medical history is an important part of your overall health and can help you make choices to protect it. From genetic counseling to early screenings, you have options at Chester County Hospital.
Ovarian Cancer, Chester County Hospital and You
While you can't control every risk factor or aspect of your health, it’s good to know how your choices might impact your health — and what factors to keep in mind. This knowledge can help you make informed decisions about your health.
To discuss your family's medical history with cancer or better understand your risk, request a callback from a provider at Chester County Hospital by calling 1-800-789-7366, or schedule an appointment with your Chester County Primary Care Provider.