Most women experience one or more of these symptoms from time to
time, and only rarely do they indicate ovarian cancer. And
remember – if you have ovarian cancer, and it is caught early,
survival chances are excellent. Ovarian Cancer Prevention Since
the causes of ovarian cancer are unknown, prevention is
impossible. But women can take some steps to reduce their risk.
Although the issue is controversial, women with a strong family
history of ovarian and/or breast cancer may consider genetic
testing to determine whether they have a mutation in BRCA1,
BRCA2 or the gene for hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer.
Genetic counseling can assess the family history and make sure
it fits the pattern for hereditary cancer. The first blood test
is done on a relative with cancer to determine whether it is due
to a genetic mutation or occurred spontaneously. If no affected
relative is available or willing to be tested, blood from the
interested woman will have to be examined for a mutation in all
three of the suspect genes