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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Is cervical cancer linked to ovarian cancer?

    Related Topics
    Cancer Cervical Cancer
    My best friend was diagnosed with and beat cervical cancer. Does she have a higher risk for getting ovarian cancer?
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  • Women's Health Queensland Wide

    Women's Health Queensland Wide provides free health information for Queensland women. View Profile

    Cervical cancer and ovarian cancer are unrelated.
     
    Cervical cancer is related to particular strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which are sexually transmitted. This viral infection is very common and can cause changes to the cells of the cervix (which are detected with Pap smears). Fortunately, these infections are usually cleared by the immune system within a few years of contracting them. Occasionally, if left untreated some of these infections can persist and eventually develop into cervical cancer. This tends to be seen primarily in those women who have not had regular Pap smear screening.
     
    Ovarian cancer is an uncommon cancer. Some of the risk factors include a family history of ovarian, breast, bowel or uterine cancer. It usually occurs in women over 45 years of age and risk increases with age, being more common following menopause. Some medical conditions such as endometriosis can also increase a woman’s lifetime risk, whereas the contraceptive pill use, having full term pregnancies and breastfeeding are protective factors. Unfortunately, there are no reliable screening tests to detect ovarian cancer.

    Kirsty
    Women’s Health Educator
    Health Information Line, Women’s Health Queensland Wide
     
    Women living in Queensland can also call our Health Information Line - a free information and referral service for Queensland women - on 3839 9988 or 1800 017 676 (toll free outside Brisbane).
     
    Please note that all health information provided by Women’s Health Queensland Wide is subject to this disclaimer


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