Women who think they could be at risk for ovarian cancer due to their health or family history can turn to genetic counseling, say oncologists at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

“Angelina Jolie Pitt’s announcement of her decision to have surgery to prevent ovarian cancer helped raise awareness of the potential risk,”  gynecologic oncologist Dr. Siobhan Kehoe says. “We encourage women who think they may be at high risk for ovarian cancer to discuss their options with their healthcare providers to determine whether genetic counseling should be their next step.”

If a woman seeks counseling and testing is appropriate, a blood test for genetic mutations may be recommended. Depending on the genetic mutations, some women may have an up to 55 percent lifetime risk for ovarian cancer, while a woman’s normal risk is 1 to 2 percent, Dr. Kehoe said.

Preventative surgery – removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes – to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer is often recommended for women with a genetic mutation that increases their risk for these cancers. Other options also exist. For example, a five year course of oral contraceptives can also reduce risk, and may be considered by younger women who still want to have children, Dr. Kehoe says.

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Media Contact: Lori.soderbergh@utsouthwestern.edu