10/09/2026
🚩 The risk of ovarian cancer for a woman in her lifetime is around 1:80 (1-2%). It certainly isn't rare.
🩺 Ovarian cancer is one of the most challenging cancers to diagnose and manage. There is no good screening program. Symptoms are vague which means delayed diagnosis and poorer outcomes.
📢 There is now evidence that having both fallopian tubes removed can reduce the risk of the most common (and aggressive) type of ovarian cancer risk by ~70%. Keep in mind that it does not eliminate the risk of ovarian cancer entirely.
🔬The reason that removing fallopian tubes can reduce ovarian cancer is not 100% certain but it is thought that the most common type of ovarian cancer originates at the 'interface' between the tube and o***y, rather than the o***y itself.
✅ If you have completed your family and are undergoing planned abdominal surgery for another reason, ask your doctor about removing the fallopian tubes as well at the same time. This is called 'opportunistic salpingectomy'. It only adds 10 minutes the surgery and simple to perform. The ovaries are not removed and ovarian function remains the same.
💬 Even if you are not undergoing planned abdominal surgery but you are worried about ovarian cancer risk (e.g. family history), it is worth discussing the pros vs cons of the simple keyhole day surgery to remove the tubes with a Gynaecologist.
🙁 A recent study found that 1 in 4 women diagnosed with aggressive ovarian cancer had missed the chance to have their tubes removed during a previous surgery.
Hope this is useful knowledge. Please spread the word and share with your friends and family.
