Ovarian cancer incidence varies greatly across geographic areas and ethnic groups, with a high incidence in Northern Europe and the United States and a low incidence in Japan. The vast bulk of cases are sporadic, with only 5% to 10% of ovarian cancers being familial. The cause of ovarian cancer is unknown. Ovarian cancer has been linked to excessive gonadotropin and androgen stimulation. Although ovarian cancer accounts for a tiny fraction of all cases, genetics is a significant risk factor for the onset and progression of ovarian cancer. In the research of gene mutations associated with ovarian cancer, it was shown that women with no family history of the disease may nevertheless have a gene mutation associated with an elevated risk of ovarian cancer. All women diagnosed with ovarian cancer who were also found to have peritoneal cancer or fallopian tube cancer were referred for genetic counseling or testing. Ovarian cancer risk increases with increased family history of cancer. A vast number of genes in women provide hereditary susceptibility to ovarian cancer, which is commonly referred to as high-grade effective genes, Ineffective and low-grade effective genes. However, a specific predisposing gene is discovered in individuals with a suggestive personal or family history, which can alter in one of the few functioning genes, such as BRCA1, or BRCA2. A mutation in one of the uncommon, low grade effective genes such as MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, NBN, PALB2, ATM, BRIPI and EPCAM increases the risk of ovarian cancer. The identification of such genes and the development of control mechanisms may clear the way for more targeted ovarian cancer prevention.