Father Had Colon Cancer - Do I Keep Ovaries ???

I am scheduled for a LAVH within the next few months and I do not have my surgery date yet.

I have never had any problems with my ovaries and all scans have show them to be normal.

My Father died at 62 from colon cancer which his doc said was heredity and his doc cautioned my brother and I to be screened for this starting at age 40 as a hereditary form.

I have heard talk that there could be a higher risk for me to get ovarian cancer because of this familial link but wondering how high of a risk? I will be 44 years of age at the time of my hysterectomy.

Does any one out there know much about this ?

my father and his mother both died of colon cancer. i chose to keep my ovaries. did you have genetic testing and test positive for the colon cancer gene? theres a big difference between having that gene and not and what your risks would be. do you have a genetic counselor? someone like that could really help you out with percentages.

Hi Kathryn,

I'm sorry to hear about your dad. My mom died of ovarian cancer, so I know how hard the terminal cancer battle is. You said that you and your brother have to be screened for colon cancer because the doctor said it was hereditary. There are three strict criteria in calling colon cancer hereditary:

Three or more relatives with colorectal cancer, with one a first-degree relative of the other two

At least two successive generations affected

One cancer diagnosed before age 50 years.

This is where it gets a little confusing. They say that if you've been diagnosed with HNPCC already you have a 60% chance of endometrial carcinoma, and a 20% chance of ovarian cancer, so they recommend stringent screening for the two. It does sound to me, however like that's only if you've actually been diagnosed with HNPCC already. I would make sure you talk this concern over fully with your doctor, take all the information in, trust your doctor, and your gut. I had my ovaries removed because I just didn't want to take the chance. I had ovarian cysts already, and after taking care of my mom for 15 years, knew that I didn't want to go there if I could help prevent it. Good luck with your decision. I'll be praying for you.


Tracy