Why Would I Remove Healthy Ovaries to Prevent Cancer? (Ovarian Cancer Awareness Series, Part 5 of 9)

What does it mean when your doctor recommends removing healthy ovaries to prevent a cancer you don’t have?

In Episode 5 of the BRCA & Beyond Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month series, we’re breaking down why risk-reducing removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes...known as a risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, or RRSO, may be recommended for people with certain hereditary ovarian cancer risks.

We’ll talk about why ovarian cancer prevention can look so different from screening for other cancers, why the timing of preventive ovary removal depends on the genetic mutation you carry, and what this surgery can and cannot accomplish.

I’m also sharing where I am in this decision as a BRCA2 carrier who previously chose a “tubes first, ovaries later” approach and is now in the recommended age range to have real conversations with my care team about removing my ovaries.

Because preventive surgery asks us to make a permanent decision based on the possibility of a future cancer sometimes when the organs we’re removing are completely healthy today.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why healthy ovaries may be removed to reduce hereditary ovarian cancer risk

• How RRSO differs from removing the fallopian tubes alone

• Why the timing of ovary removal varies by genetic mutation

• What risk-reducing surgery can and cannot accomplish

• Questions to bring to your own care team

RESOURCES:

FORCE — Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered

Hereditary cancer information, support, research and resources for people and families affected by inherited cancer risk.

facingourrisk.org

OCRA — Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

Ovarian and gynecologic cancer education, research, support programs and patient resources.

ocrahope.org

Project COURAGE — Moffitt Cancer Center

Community Ovarian Cancer Understanding through Risk Assessment and Genetic Education, focused on hereditary ovarian cancer education, risk assessment and access to genetic counseling and testing.

moffitt.org

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Evidence-based information about BRCA1 and BRCA2, hereditary cancer risk, ovarian cancer prevention and risk-reducing surgery.

cancer.gov

Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO)

Patient education and resources related to ovarian and other gynecologic cancers.

sgo.org

Foundation for Women’s Cancer

Education and resources for people affected by ovarian and other gynecologic cancers.

foundationforwomenscancer.org

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Decisions about hereditary cancer risk, screening and risk-reducing surgery should be discussed with your own qualified healthcare team.

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. This helps us reach more people navigating previvorship, survivorship, and life after a diagnosis.

Medical Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

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