Ovarian Cancer: Reduce Your Risk

While ovarian cancer can strike a woman at any age, there are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer.

• Birth control pills: Women who take birth control pills for three years can reduce their risk of ovarian cancer by as much as 50 percent.
• Giving Birth: Giving birth to at least one child can lower your risk of breast cancer.
• Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding your child for at least one year appears to lower your risk for ovarian cancer.
• Tubal ligation: Women who have had a tubal ligation reduces a woman's risk of ovarian cancer.
• Hysterectomy: Like tubal ligation, a hysterectomy can reduce a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer.