International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

If women at high risk of breast or ovarian cancer, due to a certain genetic disposition, undergo preventative surgery they could reduce the chance of developing either condition, a new study has revealed.

Almost 2,500 women with certain genetic mutations making them more prone to suffering either form of cancer were tracked by researchers from Northwestern University in the US.

Those that underwent pre-emptive mastectomies or surgeries to remove the ovaries or fallopian tubes nearly eliminated the incidence of either cancer.

"This is the first study to prove women survive longer with these preventative surgeries and it shows the importance of genetic testing when there is a family history of early breast or ovarian cancer," said Dr Virginia Kaklamani from the university.

According to the National Cancer Institute in the US, there will be an estimated 13,850 deaths from ovarian cancer this year and 39,840 fatalities caused by breast cancer.

Posted by Martine Ward