What is a known risk factor for developing ovarian cancer?

Age is indeed a known risk factor for developing ovarian cancer. The incidence of ovarian cancer increases significantly with age, particularly for women over the age of 50. This is thought to be related to the cumulative effects of hormonal exposure over a woman's lifetime, as long-term exposure to estrogen without the balancing influence of progesterone can promote the development of ovarian tumors. The majority of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in postmenopausal women, underscoring the importance of age as a risk factor.

While other factors, such as smoking, high body mass index (BMI), and dietary habits have been investigated for their potential roles in cancer risk, they are not as strongly associated with ovarian cancer as age. Smoking has more established links to other types of cancer, and while obesity can impact overall health and may relate to certain cancers, its direct link to ovarian cancer is less clear compared to age-related risks.