A new study found that the removal of ovaries can reduce one's risk of dying from breast cancer by 62 percent.
Oophorectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove ovaries to reduce the chances of developing ovarian cancer or breast cancer. Earlier studies suggested that opting out of the procedure increased one's risk of developing breast cancer by 70 percent, as well as ovarian cancer to some extent.
To verify this belief, researchers at the Women's College of Research Institute in Canada involved 676 women carrying the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations who were diagnosed with early-stage breast cancers. Half of them agreed to undergo oophorectomy within an average of six years after diagnosis.
After the 20-year follow-up period, the researchers found that oophorectomy was able to reduce the women's breast cancer death risk by 62 percent. However, this is just for those carrying the BRCA1 gene. Those with BRCA2 also showed a risk reduction, but it was not considered to be a significant amount, according to the news release.
Despite the findings, researchers admitted that further study is needed, especially since they couldn't explain why oophorectomy is not beneficial to those with the BRCA2 gene.
"The results provide a validation of the role of oophorectomy in conveying both a disease-free and overall survival benefit for BRCA1 mutation carriers," Mary L. Disis, editor-in-chief of JAMA Oncology, wrote in an editorial. She was not part of the study.
"The data reported here are compelling and suggest that the potential of oophorectomy should become part of the treatment discussion at the time of diagnosis for BRCA mutation carriers with early-stage breast cancers," she added.
The study was published in the April 23 issue of JAMA Oncology.
