Removing Ovaries Dramatically Cuts Risk of Early Death in Some Breast Cancer Patients
A life-saving surgery may be doing more than we thought for women with inherited breast cancer risk.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have found that women diagnosed with breast cancer who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants—the notorious mutations linked to both breast and ovarian cancer—may gain more than just protection from future ovarian cancer when they undergo bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO), a surgery to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
The procedure, already recommended to prevent ovarian cancer in these high-risk individuals, is now linked to a significantly lower risk of early death, according to the new study. The survival benefit was “substantial,” the researchers say, with no major long-term health consequences reported in patients who underwent the surgery.
In short: removing these organs doesn’t just stop another cancer from forming—it seems to help patients live longer overall.
The study tracked outcomes in a large group of breast cancer patients over time, and the results suggest that this preventive measure may be one of the most powerful tools available to women carrying BRCA mutations. That’s a big deal, especially considering the rising accessibility of genetic testing and personalized medicine.
What’s perhaps most surprising is that the survival boost wasn’t solely due to reducing ovarian cancer risk. The researchers suspect that hormonal and immune system changes triggered by the surgery might be playing a broader role in improving health outcomes.
It’s a clear reminder that when it comes to cancer and genetics, the body’s systems are deeply interconnected—and sometimes, removing one threat opens the door to longer life in unexpected ways.