Ovaries should be removed in women with cancer risk

There are warnings today that women should seriously consider having their ovaries removed if ovarian cancer or breast cancer runs in their family.

The advice comes after health experts claimed the traditional blood testing and ultrasound screenings are not always reliable in picking up cancerous tumours.

Women are therefore being advised to have their ovaries removed once they reach the age of 40 as researchers say it is one of the most effective ways to protect against the disease.

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A UK study has found that out of 23 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, only nine cases were detected by traditional screening at an early stage and 10 of the women have since died.

Meanwhile, if women come from a family with a history of cancer, they are likely to carry faulty genes, making them 70-90 percent more likely to develop either breast cancer or ovarian cancer.

According to scientists, if women have their ovaries removed this risk is almost halved.

 Professor Gareth Evans who is from the University of Manchester and responsible for the study, said of the advice: “It's a pretty small procedure.”

He explained the operation would most likely be carried out by keyhole surgery by placing a small incision in the abdomen to aid a speedy recovery.

Professor Evans added: “You've been through the menopause so you're not going to plunge into hot flushes and other symptoms.

“If your life expectancy is 85, you could lose 25 years of your life and die within a year if ovarian cancer hits.”