Embedding Ovarian Cancer Prevention in Surgical and Contraceptive Care

Details

Ovarian cancer remains one of the most lethal gynecologic malignancies, largely due to the absence of effective screening strategies and the frequent diagnosis at advanced stages. Increasing evidence that many high-grade serous ovarian cancers originate in the fallopian tube has created new opportunities for prevention. Given that we cannot rely on dedicated screening programs (as no effective screening for ovarian cancer exists), risk reduction can be integrated into routine healthcare encounters that already occur across and beyond the reproductive lifespan. Surgical procedures such as hysterectomy or tubal permanent contraception provide opportunities to remove the fallopian tubes through opportunistic salpingectomy. However, more opportunities exist when we expand to general surgery, including gallbladder surgery, appendectomy and colorectal surgery. We have also long known that contraceptive choices have important impacts with combined oral contraceptives providing significant reductions in lifetime risk for ovarian cancer. Embedding prevention within these common clinical interactions allows the health system to reach large populations without requiring additional infrastructure or major changes to care pathways. This presentation will outline our approach for a population-based strategy for ovarian cancer prevention that leverages existing surgical and contraceptive care to meaningfully reduce future disease burden.

Please contact Pamela Lee for attendance details.