Ovarian Cancer

Prevention

Women who take birth-control pills have half the risk of developing ovarian cancer, possibly because these drugs prevent ovulation. It is thought that breast-feeding, which also reduces the number of times a woman ovulates, can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Reducing the amount of fat in the diet also is thought to help reduce risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Treatment

Surgery is the usual treatment for ovarian cancer. In most cases, the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus and the cervix are removed, as well as the thin tissue covering the stomach and intestine (omentum) and surrounding lymph nodes.

Chemotherapy therapy also may be necessary to kill remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy is used less often. Both treatments also kill healthy cells, which can cause side effects involving various parts of the body, depending on the type, route, total dose and length of use. Examples of side effects can include fever, chills, rash, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, fatigue, irregular heart rate patterns, clotting disorders, blood pressure changes, phlebitis, nerve damage, muscle weakness and pain.