Lifestyle advice to reduce ovarian cancer risk

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed at advanced stages; it has one of the worst prognoses among gynecologic neoplasms and it hasn’t got an effective screening program. It has modifiable risk factors in common with endometrial and breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of literature in Medline. RESULTS: Risk reduction strategies include body weight normalization, regular exercise, healthy diet largely based on fiber-rich vegetables with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and low glycemic loads, appropriate dose of Vitamin D and strategies to reduce exposure to environmental pollution. CONCLUSIONS: Gynecologic consultation is a good opportunity to give advice and improve lifestyle targeted to reduce not only ovarian but also endometrial and breast cancer risk and to promote overall health.

Keywords

• ovarian neoplasms
• primary prevention
• lifestyle
• diet
• endometrial neoplasms
• breast neoplasms