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Family history and the risk of ovarian cancer

On average, 2 out of 100 women will get ovarian cancer. If someone in your family has had ovarian cancer, your chances of getting it may be higher than average. The more relatives you have with ovarian cancer, the more your chances go up.

Sometimes a very strong family history of ovarian cancer is caused by a mutated gene that runs in the family. The gene is called a BRCA gene. Women who inherit this gene change are more likely to get breast or ovarian cancer.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised June 15, 2009

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: June 15, 2009
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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