Heralded as a "silent killer," ovarian cancer was once difficult to detect until after it had spread to other locations in the body. According to the American Cancer Society estimates for 2009, approximately 21,550 women will contract ovarian cancer and 14,600 deaths will occur as a result. The way to reduce the risk of getting it revolve around lifestyle modifications and some medical procedures.
Step 1
Keep the diet clean. Avoid a diet that is high in saturated fat, low in fiber, and also avoid excessive amounts of alcohol. Instead, eat lean meats, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, fish, seeds, nuts, whole grains and beans.
Step 2
Get some exercise. Obesity is a risk factor for getting ovarian cancer. Perform exercise 30 minutes a day on five or more days a week to help keep weight under control. Some examples are running, weight training, biking, swimming, rowing or fast-paced walking.
Step 3
Have a baby. Although it may not be the best thing to do at this current moment in your life, having a baby can help lower your risk of ovarian cancer. Your risk can actually get lower with each child you have.
Step 4
Go on the birth control pill. On the opposite side of pregnancy is the birth control pill, also known as an "oral contraceptive." These are actually used to stop the ovulation process and prevent pregnancy. As an added benefit, they can also lower your risk for ovarian cancer.
Step 5
Get an operation. There are two surgical procedures that can be done to prevent ovarian cancer. Tubal litigation is done to prevent pregnancy by tying off the fallopian tubes, according to doctors at The Oncology Channel, although the mechanism of cancer prevention is not yet known. The other option is the removal of the ovaries altogether. This is usually done when a woman is getting a hysterectomy and she is over 40 years old. The ovaries are removed as a preventative measure.
