Ovarian Cancer: Stopping a Secret Killer

What Does this Mean for Me?

If you are at high risk for ovarian cancer, you may want to talk to your doctor about this cutting-edge research and how you might be able to take advantage of it in the near future to reduce your risk.

3 Risk-Reducing Steps You Can Take Now

1. Know your risk profile
   At least 10% of women with ovarian cancer have a relative who has also had it. Do a thorough screening of your family on both sides to see if anyone has had breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer.
   
   If you have never been pregnant, began menstruating before age 12 or have had hormone replacement therapy for menopause symptoms, you may be at an increased risk for ovarian cancer.
2. Consider the birth control pill. Being on the pill for more than 5 years will reduce your risk of ovarian cancer by about 50%. Discuss it with your doctor, since it can also raise the risk of other health conditions.
3. Add 3 Cancer-Fighting Foods to Your Daily Diet
   Oatmeal has been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, and is a healthy, fiber-filled way to start your day.
   Spinach and other vibrant vegetables are packed with cancer-fighting chemicals called flavonoids that help your body deal fight the free radicals that can wreak havoc on our bodies, including the fallopian tubes and ovaries, and predispose us to cancer.
   Broccoli and caulifower are both full of compounds that can break down cancer-causing chemicals in your body. Both been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and help patients with it live longer.