Genetic Mutations for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer — Beyond BRCA

In the ovarian cancer series, we’ve just separated hereditary from non-hereditary cancers. Now we dive into the specific genetic mutations that drive hereditary epithelial ovarian cancer.

Most women only know about BRCA—but that’s just part of the story. In this episode, Dr. Barbara 'Menopause' Taylor organizes hereditary epithelial ovarian cancers into three site-specific syndromes: ovaries and breasts (HBOC), ovaries only (HSSOC), and ovaries with colon (Lynch Syndrome). You’ll learn that BRCA mutations account for 65–85% of hereditary epithelial ovarian cancers, that hereditary cancers often strike before age 50, and that while hereditary cancers make up only 5–10% of all ovarian cancers, their risks can be dramatically higher—up to 40–66% for breast cancer and 11–54% for ovarian cancer in BRCA carriers.

Clear, structured, and eye-opening, this episode reveals why knowing your specific mutation matters—and why comparing one woman’s cancer to another’s is a mistake.

Visual learner? Find the corresponding Menopause Taylor YouTube video here.

Click here for more about one-on-one consultations and Dr. Taylor's menopause resources.

Looking for a roadmap to successful menopause management? Dr. Taylor's new ebook, How to Win at Menopause: A Guide to Raising - and Winning- Your Game Your Way, will bring confidence and clarity to your menopause journey. Avoid common pitfalls and learn to navigate a healthcare system that focuses more on disease than prevention, where many professionals lack the relevant education and/or the motivation to help you.

In the ovarian cancer series, we’ve covered anatomy, cell types, and an overview of risk factors—now it’s time to tackle one of the biggest myths of all.

Most women assume ovarian cancer is inherited. The truth? 90–95% of ovarian cancers are not hereditary. In this episode, Dr. Barbara 'Menopause' Taylor breaks down the critical differences between hereditary and non-hereditary ovarian cancers—when they start, how they develop, who’s at risk, and why prevention and screening look completely different for each. From genetics and age of onset to testing, inheritance, and prevention strategies, this episode reshapes how you think about risk.

Visual learner? Find the corresponding Menopause Taylor YouTube video here.

Click here for more about one-on-one consultations and Dr. Taylor's menopause resources.

Looking for a roadmap to successful menopause management? Dr. Taylor's new ebook, How to Win at Menopause: A Guide to Raising - and Winning- Your Game Your Way, will bring confidence and clarity to your menopause journey. Avoid common pitfalls and learn to navigate a healthcare system that focuses more on disease than prevention, where many professionals lack the relevant education and/or the motivation to help you.

Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors

Think ovarian cancer risk is all about your genes or family history? Think again. In this overview, Dr. Barbara 'Menopause' Taylor introduces the various categories of risk factors and the limitations on the research from which they are drawn. From genetics and personal history to hormones, lifestyle, inflammation, and even stress, this episode lays out the full landscape so you can see the big picture. It’s the roadmap that sets up everything that follows—so you can understand where the risks lie and where you can take action to reduce them.

Visual learner? Find the corresponding Menopause Taylor YouTube video here.

Click here for more about one-on-one consultations and Dr. Taylor's menopause resources.

Looking for a roadmap to successful menopause management? Dr. Taylor's new ebook, How to Win at Menopause: A Guide to Raising - and Winning- Your Game Your Way, will bring confidence and clarity to your menopause journey. Avoid common pitfalls and learn to navigate a healthcare system that focuses more on disease than prevention, where many professionals lack the relevant education and/or the motivation to help you.