For those who are considering removing healthy ovaries for prophylactic purposes only

Hi Sisters!

I have just learned something some of you probably have long been aware of, but maybe some of you have not. For those who have not............Even when healthy ovaries are surgically removed to prevent future ovarian cancer, a woman can still get ovarian cancer!!!............Unbelievable but that is what my surgeon told me. He explained that there is also ovarian epithelial tissue that lines the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen.
So anyone anticipating ridding themselves of perfectly healthy ovaries to prevent a possible future cancer of the ovaries - may be doing away with a good source of hormone balance futily.

Just wanted to pass this on to any one who is "on the fence" about getting rid of healthy ovaries for prevention reasons. It used to be a "given" to get rid of the ovaries while you are "in there" surgically excising the uterus, but now this gives me pause. Check with your own surgeon and see if she/he will explain it more concisely - however, rare, someone without ovaries can still get ovarian cancer! Bummer! But if this helps you make a decision to keep your healthy ovaries with the beneficial hormones they can deliver and let you go through a more graceful menopause - now you have another reason to consider.

Luv, Lulu :confuse:

Thanks for your post, Lulu. Just the other night my mother and I got into a debate about keeping my ovaries (when did this become *her* choice???!) Even though there's no history of ovarian cancer in my family my mother wants me to consider having them removed because my maternal great-grandmother had breast cancer. Huh??

I think my poor mother is panicking over nothing and I fully intend to keep my ovaries. At 37 I'm not ready to go into menopause.

True, but that form of cancer is even rarer than ovarian cancer. The chance of getting ovarian cancer is not that high to begin with, which is why I kept my ovaries at age 43. Keep in mind though that the logic behind removing them is not irrational. Though you are more likely to die from something else, ovarian cancer is extremely hard to diagnose in early stages and that is why the death rate from the disease is so high. Also, if you are prone to troublesome non-benign cysts, taking the ovaries can make sense for some women so they can avoid repeated surgeries. For me the rationale of "taking something elsewhile you are there" never made a lot of sense.

Thanks, Lulu for reminding us of the possibility for abdominal cancer even without ovaries. Sounds like you have a thorough doctor.

My doc showed me a clinical study that stated that "75% decrease in ovarian cancer with bilateral oophorectomy". My question to her was WHY wasn't it 100% decrease??? She did explain that the peritoneum cell type was the same as the ovaries. But she said that 75% decrease was for women who had a risk, not for those of us who don't really. There is a greater decrease for those of us who don't have that big a risk. Another doctor said that being overweight and having mild hypertension are also risk factors for ovarian cancer?? Any thoughts on this?

Now, I've asked this question before---is there any connection between having your ovaries out AND decreasing the chances of getting breast cancer????? I seem to remember hearing that there was but I can't find anything on the subject. Help!!
Thanks so much!
JoAnn

Reply to Sisters:

I just submitted that little fact for those who are "on the fence" about giving up healthy ovaries. If I were 37 with no other risk factors - I would fight to keep my ovaries!

I believe what JoAnn heard about having the ovaries removed increasing the chances of breast cancer comes from the use of conventional HRT to replace the hormones that the ovaries used to safely, naturally manufacture. Bioidentical hormones are the next best thing to what Mother Nature gave us.

I am embarassed to say this but I am 55, and still cycling every month and would like to fight to save my ovaries because to me our body parts are not throw away pests!!! I recently had a hormone level test and my hormones are doing pretty well for this old carcus!! I have no hot flashes, my hair is still very thick and my skin is still unwrinkled and I attribute all of this to my hormone production even at this late date! It is amazing, how tied in the pharmaceutical giants are with our medical schools and therefore, our doctors are kept in the dark about bioidentical hormones. But I won't be foolish, I know that all good things come to an end and I have enjoyed natural hormones for 55 years and now with a persistent dermoid (benign) sitting on my left ovary - I most likely will have my ovaries removed. I am considering my age, considering that I probably will be going to menopause any second now anyway!!! And I am being pressured my daughters! Knowing there are bioidentical hormones out there to save me! It is not "one size fits all" it takes some formulating to get it right for each woman - and to maybe keep making changes now and again between estrogen and progesterone and even testosterone. But when they do get it right - you have a sense of well-being and it's like having your own hormones working again. Well, I am off the wildlife center where I voluteer to take care of rabbits, racoons, squirrels, foxes, hawks, etc all with all of their wild raging hormones!!!!! Luv to all, Lulu

Just to answer a quick question...

Yes, being overweight can stimulate the production of estrogen, and cause your body to produce an excessive amount of estrogen, which is one factor that increases your risk of ovarian (and other) cancer.

Hope this helps

Tess

Yes, it is true. Your chances are only reduced by 95%. But 5% of the original 100% now means it is extremely unlikely you would develop it.

I am 44 and having mine removed. Personal choice, but recommended by my doc.

O.