In the journals: Routine ovary removal during hysterectomy ill-advised for most women
In the journals
Every year, about 600,000 women in the United States undergo hysterectomy — mostly for noncancerous conditions, such as fibroids and endometriosis. More than half will have both ovaries removed as well, in a procedure called bilateral oophorectomy, which is performed chiefly to reduce the risk for ovarian cancer. Women at high risk for breast cancer may also undergo bilateral oophorectomy to eliminate the ovarian production of estrogen, which fuels the growth of most breast cancers. A study calls these routine oophorectomies into question. Its conclusion: while almost eliminating ovarian cancer risk and reducing breast cancer risk, ovary removal increases the likelihood of fatal and nonfatal heart disease, lung cancer, and death from all causes. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that ovarian hormones are important to a woman's health as she ages and that oophorectomy should not be routinely recommended, particularly for women at no more than average risk for ovarian or breast cancer.
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