Some women are at higher risk for breast or ovarian cancer because of a genetic mutation (BRCA1 or BRCA2 are the genes with known links to increased cancer risks, but other genes may play a role, as well). Some of these women will only test for the mutation after a diagnosis of breast cancer, since breast cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer among women. Others may learn of their genetic risk factor prior to any diagnosis of cancer, because a family history of breast or ovarian cancer may have presented increased risk factors.
Women who possess the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation or a significant family history have a significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Women who are at high risk for developing ovarian cancer may be candidates for prophylactic oophorectomy, or removal of the ovaries to prevent the development of ovarian cancer.
What is an oophorectomy and how can it reduce my cancer risk?
Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of the ovaries. The ovaries at small organs located on each side of the uterus that contain eggs and are responsible for the production of the hormones that drive menstrual cycle. Because many cancers are hormone-receptive, meaning they develop in response to your normal reproductive hormones, reducing the level of these hormones also reduces the risk of developing ovarian or breast cancer.
Who should consider having a prophylactic oophorectomy?
Women with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer due to an inherited genetic mutation or significant family risk, particularly those who are over age 35 and who are done childbearing are the best candidates for this surgery.
Current evidence indicates that a prophylactic oophorectomy may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 50% in premenopausal women who have a BRCA genetic mutation. The risk of developing ovarian cancer is reduced by 90% by the surgery.
For more information about surgical removal or the ovaries, please visit the ovarian cysts section our treatment options section.