A risk factor is one that changes the chances of suffering from a disease such as, in this case, cancer. But, and a protective factor? Contrary to a risk factor, a protection factor is all that situation, context or characteristic that decreases the probability of a risk; in this case of suffering from ovarian cancer. Some protective factors of ovarian cancer are:

• • Breastfeeding – Breastfeeding may low the risk of ovarian cancer.
  • Childbearing status – Ovarian cancer risk declines with every childbirth (multiple births).
  • Get active – Stay active and practice moderate regular physical activity.
  • Preventive gynecologic surgery – A tubal ligation (tying the fallopian tubes) or hysterectomy (removing the uterus but not the ovaries) reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.
  • Eat healthy – Keep a low-fat diet and choose healthy food.
  • Intrauterine device (IUD) – The use of IUD.
  • Oral contraceptives – Use oral contraceptives (birth control pills).

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References:
American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org
Mironov S., Akin O., Pandit-Taskar N., Hann L E. “Ovarian Cancer.” Radiologic Clinics of North America (2007): 45 (1) 149-166.