Is family history of breast cancer a risk factor for ovarian cancer?

Hello Navi

I have just had a TVH but kept my ovaries. I have a family history of breast cancer (my Nanna) also my sister had ovarian cancer at the age of 33. My doctor was made aware that my sister had o.c. he made sure he had a good look at my ovaries and also I had the CA125 blood test before my surgery but he did not recommend that he take my ovaries. Perhaps one factor in that is that I am under 50, I am 43. He did recommend that I have annual blood tests and ultrasounds of my ovaries following the surgery.

I'm sorry but I don't really know how much your risk increases but I do know that it does increase somewhat with the family history.

I hope you manage to get the advice you need to make this important decision. Good Luck with your surgery & recovery

This is a tough decision due to the lack of information about what this really means to women in their 50's and beyond. Donna Shoupe's article may be a few years old but it does discuss the importance of our ovaries past menopause. Best wishes in making your decision and in having a speedy recovery.

Here's an article on another site that was posted earlier on another thread. There's mention in here about associated risks of ovarian cancer with a history of breast cancer. Lots of other interesting info too.

http://www.ohanlan.com/total_laparo.htm

HollyK

I had my surgery at age 52 and my doctor told me he was going to take my ovaries.

Holly K.,
Thank you for the link from ohanlan. I read it and then printed it out to take to my pre-op appt with several areas highlighted. I don't know who Kate Ohanlan is but if my doctor concurs this just made my decision to go ahead with the BSO part of the surgery too.