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Women's Health

Gynecologic Oncology

Preventing Gynecological Cancer

Gynecological Cancer: Who is at Risk?

Though gynecological cancers can affect any woman, some women may be at greater risk. Recognizing the risk factors in your life can help you take advantage of available health screenings that can detect problems before they become serious. Even more important, many risk factors signal a need to change your lifestyle – by taking control and eliminating behaviors or conditions that can lead to cancer.


Risks vary depending on the type of cancer, but there are some common threads.


Your risk may be higher when:

  • You’re at or beyond the age of menopause (50+)
  • You have a family history of ovarian cancer or cancers of the uterus, colon or breast
  • You have never been pregnant or have had infertility problems
  • You are obese
  • You have hypertension, diabetes, chronic vulvar irritation, or late menopause
  • You use the medication tamoxifen or use unopposed estrogen
  • You don’t have regular Pap screenings
    You smoke
  • You have had multiple sexual partners
  • You first had intercourse before the age of sixteen
  • You are infected with HIV or HPV


Taking good care of yourself and following your physician’s recommendations for regular care and screenings can go along way toward avoiding cancer and other diseases.

Click here for a confidential risk assessment test