Study: Ovary removal reduces risk of death from any cause in people with BRCA mutations
People who test positive for an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation can reduce their risk of ovarian cancer by having both ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. A study published in 2024 found an added benefit of this surgery – a lower risk of death from any cause by age 75. (Posted 5/23/24)
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RELEVANCE
Most relevant for: People who have had a risk reducing bilateral oophorectomy.
It may also be relevant for:
- previvors
- people with a genetic mutation linked to cancer risk
- people with a family history of cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
What is this study about?
This study followed women with an inherited or mutation who had their ovaries removed. The researchers wanted to see if removal of ovaries to prevent ovarian cancer could also reduce the risk of death from any cause. The results confirm that removal of ovaries reduces death from any cause by age 75.
Why is this study important?
People with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have an increased risk for cancer, including and ovarian cancer. There is currently no effective screening test for ovarian cancer. Currently, the most effective way to lower risk for ovarian cancer is with risk-reducing surgery to remove the ovaries and . Expert guidelines recommend that people with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed between the ages 35 and 45 to decrease their risk of developing ovarian cancer. This study confirms that the removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes in these women not only lowers cancer risk but lowers risk of death as well. This report is an update to a 2014 report that linked ovary removal to a 70 percent lower risk of death from any cause for this group.
Study findings
Women with high risk of ovarian cancer due to an in BRCA1 or BRCA2 who had their ovaries removed were less likely to die of any cause.
The study followed 4,332 women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations who had both ovaries and tubes removed ( salpingo-oophorectomy) to prevent ovarian cancer. The important findings were:
- Study participants who had their ovaries removed were 68% less likely to die by age 75.
- Participants with an inherited BRCA1 mutation had a 72% lower risk of death.
- Participants with an inherited BRCA2 mutation had a 57% lower risk of death.
In other words, women with a BRCA1 mutation who had surgery by age 35 were much less likely to die of any cause by age 75 (25% compared to 62%). This number dropped from 28% to 14% in women with a BRCA2 mutation.
About the study
Participants were part of a long-term international study of women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Their average age was 42.6 years, and no participants had a personal history of cancer. The research team followed them for an average of nine years, some as many as 24 years. Participants were surveyed every two years either by mail or by phone. Information on death was gathered through patient records, doctors, or family members.
Out of the 4,332 participants, 2,932 women had their ovaries removed and 1,400 did not have their ovaries removed. A total of 228 deaths occurred, where 112 deaths were out of the 2,932 women who had their ovaries removed and 116 were out of the 1,400 women who did not have their ovaries removed. Most deaths (80 percent) were from cancer.
