Screening and prevention of ovarian cancer Prevention of ovarian carcinoma

Prevention of ovarian carcinoma Oral contraceptive pills Use of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) has been associated with a significant reduction in the risk of ovarian cancer. Specifically, after one year of use, the risk has been shown to decrease by 10–12%, and by approximately 50% after five years of use. The Cancer and Steroid Hormone (CASH) study researchers reported that the reduction in ovarian cancer risk was the same irrespective of the type or amount of estrogen or progestin in the OCP [1]. Follow-up analysis of CASH data have indicated that formulations with high levels of progestin are associated with a lower risk of ovarian cancer compared with formulations with low progestin concentrations [2]. The Steroid Hormones and Reproductions (SHARE) study was noteworthy for finding no difference in ovarian cancer risk between androgenic and nonandrogenic pills [2]. Women harboring genetic mutations that predispose them to the development of breast and ovarian cancer (ie, the breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 and 2 [BRCA1 and BRCA2] mutation carriers) also seem to benefit from a reduction in risk of ovarian cancer through the use of OCP [3].