The pathogenesis of ovarian cancer is still very unclear. Many etiopathogenetic factors are believed to be responsible for this disease. Race, parity, familiarity, genetic, viral, endocrine and iatrogenic factors are all regarded as promoting factors. The identification of women at risk can prove useful in defining the promoting factors of this neoplasia. The Author reports the clinical experience of his center with regard to parity, age at menarche and menopause, together with data about the incidence of suspect ovarian masses in menopause and that of ovarian carcinoma. He finally stresses that the improvement of prophylaxis and secondary prevention depends upon both an adequate work-up and an improved therapeutical integration in these tumoural forms.