Among women, ovarian cancer is the eighth most prevalent type of cancer. In fact, about three percent of all cancer in women is ovarian cancer. Two thirds of cases are found in women above the age of 55, and there may be an increase of risk in women of Caucasian descent. There are some strategies that may help improve your chances of preventing ovarian cancer. Reducing your risk of this disease involves eating a healthy diet, regularly seeing a doctor and selectively choosing medications to take.
Instructions
1. Take oral contraceptives. Many studies have shown that taking the pill for a prolonged period of time can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. This may be a result of the impact of hormones or it may be because of the dormant state the ovaries are in when women are on the pill.
2. Eat carrots. Carotenoids, a micronutrient that is most commonly found in raw carrots, has recently been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Consuming five or more servings per week could decrease your risk by more than 50 percent.
3. Add lycopene to your diet. This chemical is found in the largest quantities in tomato sauces. The cooking process helps bring out the lycopene, so look for sauces and tomato paste as sources.
4. Discuss your risk factors with your doctor. If you have a family history of ovarian cancer, you may want to consider genetic counseling to find out if you have a gene that has been associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer.
5. Take acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Though aspirin does not seem to have an effect on the prevention of ovarian cancer, these two painkillers may reduce your risk of the disease.
Tags: ovarian cancer, your risk, reduce risk, risk ovarian, risk ovarian cancer, women ovarian
