Causes
The causes of ovarian cancer are not known. Many factors have been associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer but the only factor which is clearly shown to increase risk is a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. In most of these families, the elevated risk is due to an inherited genetic predisposition to the disease. Such genetic profiles are more common in some specific ethnic groups (Ashkenazi Jews being one of the groups at highest risk for this genetic predisposition).
Other factors such as having few or no pregnancies, and early onset of menstruation or late menopause are not well proven.
Fertility treatments that include stimulation of ovulation may also increase the risk of ovarian cancer but, again, this is not well proven and is certainly difficult to assess for any individual woman.