Although most cases of ovarian cancer cannot be prevented, there are certain things a woman can do that may lower her risk of developing ovarian cancer:
Taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills) for more than five years reduces a woman's risk by about 50 percent.
Breastfeeding may decrease a woman's risk of ovarian cancer.
Healthy diet and regular exercise are important ways to reduce your risk of cancer and other diseases.
Surgical removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes (prophylactic oopherectomy) decreases a woman's risk. This is generally recommended onlyfor certain very high-risk patients over age 40. It does not entirely eliminate the risk, because cancers can still form in the cells that line the pelvic and abdominal cavity.
Tubal ligation (having the fallopian tubes tied) may decrease a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer.
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