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When it comes to women’s health, few topics are as important — or as intertwined — as ovarian and breast can.cer. While they are two distinct types of can.cer, research has shown that they are closely connected through genetics, hormones, and family history. Understanding this link can help women take proactive steps in prevention, screening, and early treatment.
Shared Genetic Risks: BRCA1 and BRCA2
One of the strongest connections between ovarian and breast cancer lies in our DNA. Mutations in two specific genes — BRCA1 and BRCA2 — significantly increase the risk of developing both cancers.
- Women with a BRCA1 mutation face up to a 72% lifetime risk of breast cancer and a 44% risk of ovarian cancer.
- Women with a BRCA2 mutation have about a 69% risk of breast cancer and a 17% risk of ovarian cancer.
These mutations are inherited, meaning they can be passed down through families. If close relatives have had ovarian or breast cancer — especially at a young age — genetic testing may be recommended.
Hormonal Factors
Estrogen, a hormone involved in many female body processes, also plays a role in the development of both cancers. Long-term exposure to estrogen — such as starting menstruation early, late menopause, or hormone replacement therapy — can raise the risk.
Family History: Why It Matters
A woman with a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer has nearly double the risk of developing it herself. Similarly, having a family history of ovarian cancer increases an individual’s likelihood of that disease. Because these cancers sometimes run together in families, a strong history of breast cancer can also suggest increased ovarian cancer risk — and vice versa.