Who can consider prophylactic oophorectomy?

Prophylactic oophorectomy is usually reserved for those with:

• Inherited gene mutations. People with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer due to an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene — two genes linked to breast cancer, ovarian cancer and other cancers who have completed childbearing may consider this procedure.

  People with other inherited gene mutations that increase the risk of ovarian cancer, including those with Lynch syndrome, might also consider this procedure.

• Strong family history. Prophylactic oophorectomy may also be recommended if you have a strong family history of breast cancer and ovarian cancer but no known genetic alteration. It might also be recommended if you have a strong likelihood of carrying the gene mutation based on your family history but choose not to proceed with genetic testing.

Discuss your risk factors for breast cancer and ovarian cancer with your doctor. Your doctor may recommend that you see a genetic counselor to discuss your family history of cancer to help you decide whether you should consider genetic testing and which genes should be included in the testing.