Ovarian cancer remains one of the common causes of death among women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), at least 22,000 women will be diagnosed of the condition in 2018. Around the same time, more than 13,500 will die.

1. Hysterectomy Can Help
Prevent Ovarian Cancer
With or Without the
Removal of the Ovaries
Hallmark Surgical

2. Ovarian cancer remains one of the common causes of death among women in the United
States. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), at least 22,000 women will be
diagnosed of the condition in 2018. Around the same time, more than 13,500 will die.
Like many types of cancer, ovarian cancer does not have a known cause, although there
are risk factors, including a genetic mutation that may also increase the odds of having
breast cancer. Furthermore, women can undergo regular gynaecological exams.
Regardless, the sooner the disease is discovered, the better. Although the survival rate
does not tell the whole story, a patient can give herself as much as 93% chance of beating
the cancer during its earliest stages. She can also take preventative steps, and one of
these may be hysterectomy, which is the removal of the uterus.

3. Hysterectomy to Reduce the Risk of Ovarian Cancer
Hysterectomy is not often the first line of defence against ovarian cancer. It may be the
most ideal for women who have ovarian tumours or have an increased risk of the disease
due to their genes.
In many cases, however, the surgeon removes not only the uterus but other female parts
as well, such as the fallopian tubes and the ovaries. The impact on female health is,
therefore, extremely significant and knowing its benefits is critical.
In 2015, U.S. researchers published a study that tried to determine the effectiveness of
removing both ovaries in preventing the cancer. They used patient data between 1988
and 2006.
At least 54% of hysterectomy patients had both their ovaries removed. Among the population, at
least 40 ovarian cancers had been diagnosed.

4. The cancer rate was as high as 26.2% among those who had hysterectomy alone and was as low as
3.9% for women with bilateral ovarian removal.
It may seem like the removal of the ovaries during hysterectomy is an effective option to prevent
cancer. However, some studies suggest that it may lead to chronic illnesses, such as heart disease
since the organs are responsible for producing certain hormones.
A 2016 Yale University study pointed out that removing the fallopian tubes and sparing the ovaries
may be a more practical treatment since the disease usually starts in the tubes.
When it comes to the prevention of ovarian cancer, women need to discuss it proactively with their
doctor. What is important is they have choices that can provide them with the best outcomes.

5. Resources:
https://hallmarksurgical.com/index.php/gynae-obstetrics/uterine-manipulators.html
http://news.yale.edu/2016/01/21/sparing-ovaries-and-removing-fallopian-tubes-may-cut-cancer-
risk-few-have-procedure
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4624417/