The short explanation
Having a mother with ovarian cancer does raise your risk compared with other women, but it does not mean you will get it. Most women with a family history never develop ovarian cancer. Some ovarian cancers are linked to inherited gene changes, especially in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which also raise breast cancer risk. The most useful first step is to talk to a doctor about genetic counselling. If your mother can be tested for gene changes, that gives the clearest information. If she carries one, you can then choose whether to be tested. Unlike some other cancers, there is currently no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer in women at average risk, so knowing your genetic risk helps decide what else to do.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Other relatives with breast, ovarian, bowel or womb cancer, especially at young ages, increase the chance of an inherited cause.
- For women who carry a BRCA gene change, doctors may discuss closer monitoring or risk-reducing options, depending on age and family plans.
- Genetic testing and counselling are available at some government medical colleges and cancer centres, and at private centres.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you your personal risk or whether you carry a gene change. Genetic counselling and testing are needed.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Should my mother have genetic testing first?
- Should I see a genetic counsellor?
- What symptoms should I watch for?
- Does this affect my breast cancer risk too?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Book an appointment soon
- See a doctor within a week or two if you have bloating most days, pelvic pain or feel full quickly for more than three weeks.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine appointment to discuss genetic counselling.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- BRCA gene changes: cancer risk and genetic testing National Cancer Institute
- Genetic testing for inherited cancer susceptibility syndromes National Cancer Institute
- Ovarian cancer National Cancer Institute
Who wrote and reviewed this
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- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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