Ovarian cancer is the world's sixth most frequent cancer in females, and it kills more women each year than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. The origin of this disease is poorly understood, considering its high incidence and fatality rates. Age and having a family history of the disease are known risk factors for ovarian cancer, while increasing parity, oral contraceptive use, and oophorectomy are known protective factors. Lactation, incomplete pregnancies, and ovarian cancer operations including hysterectomy and tubal ligation may have a minor protective effect. Dysfunction may increase the risk of ovarian cancer in nulliparous women. Post-menopausal hormone replacement treatment, as well as lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking and alcohol intake, are all possible risk factors for ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer has a variety of causes, many of which have yet to be discovered. To better understand the genesis of this lethal disease, more research is required.
