The following women are at high risk for developing ovarian cancer:

• women who carry a BRCA mutation
• women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer (in 2 or more relatives) particularly if it occurred before menopause

Formal genetic counseling should also be recommended.

Women who are at high risk should also undergo screening every six months for the cancer tumor marker CA 125 as well as undergo a 6 monthly transvaginal ultrasound. In addition, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network also recommends strong consideration for a complete hysterectomy after childbearing or at the age of diagnosis of other family members.

Of note, only 5% of women who develop ovarian cancer have a positive family history.

Possible Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network outlines the symptoms suggestive of ovarian cancer. These are:

• bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain
• difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and
• urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency) especially if these symptoms are new and frequent (> 12 days/month).

Routine screening is not recommended for women who have no symptoms or no family history.

For more information about ovarian cancer, check out the Ovarian Cancer Homepage at the National Cancer Institute.