Ovarian cancer resources

For women at high inherited risk of ovarian cancer the only intervention shown to reduce deaths from ovarian cancer is risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This is usually advised before age 40-45 years and will generally lead to surgical menopause. Research at the Women’s Hospital funded by the Western & Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service (WCMICS) has shown that high-risk women and their healthcare providers need more information about the management of surgical menopause after risk reducing oophorectomy and that concerns about surgical menopause deter women from potentially life-saving surgery. This information informed the development of new resources available for high-risk women and for their healthcare providers led by Professor Martha Hickey, Deputy Head of Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. These resources will be launched by the Women’s later this month and at the national Familial Cancer Conference in NSW in August 2019. These are the first resources internationally addressing non-cancer outcomes after risk-reducing surgery.

Women at high inherited risk of ovarian cancer can read more about RRBSO in the booklet which can be downloaded here: Considering surgery to reduce your risk of ovarian cancer?

The information resource for health professionals can be downloaded here: Managing Women at High Risk of Ovarian Cancer