Ovarian Cancer Prevention: Study Highlights Missed Opportunities for Risk-Reducing Surgery

A recent study published in JAMA Surgery reveals that nearly one in four women diagnosed with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) had opportunities for preventive surgery prior to their diagnosis but did not receive it. The research, involving 1,877 patients, found that 23.7% of cases represented "missed opportunities" for risk-reducing bilateral salpingectomy (BS), a procedure shown to significantly lower the risk of HGSOC.
Among women with a first-degree family history of ovarian cancer, 43.2% were found to have genetic mutations increasing their susceptibility to the disease, yet these findings were identified only after their cancer diagnosis. The study underscores the importance of genetic testing and timely surgical interventions for women at higher risk.
The authors emphasize that ovarian cancer prevention must expand beyond opportunistic salpingectomy (OS) to include genetic testing and personalized risk stratification. They highlight the potential of polygenic risk modeling to tailor preventive strategies, noting that early BS for individuals with a 2% or higher lifetime risk could save lives.
Despite the proven safety and efficacy of OS, its adoption in the U.S. remains low, with only 7.7% of hysterectomies including bilateral salpingectomy in 2013. The study calls for broader education and standardized processes to ensure that risk-reducing surgeries are discussed and implemented during relevant procedures.
The findings reinforce the critical need for improved awareness and access to preventive measures, particularly for women with hereditary risk factors, to reduce the burden of ovarian cancer.

Published: 8/14/2025