With a simple blood test, it is now possible to identify which women with a family history of ovarian cancer have inherited a mutation and which have not. A woman with a normal test can be reassured that her cancer risk is similar to that of the general population. On the other hand, if her test is positive, her risk is extremely high, and she may be a candidate for measures aimed at early detection or prevention of ovarian cancer. Genetic testing is invaluable for women of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, because these women have a high risk of harboring a mutation even in the absence of a family history of disease. Unfortunately, current methods for early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer are relatively unproved.
Oral contraceptives can also reduce ovarian cancer risk.
Finally, many women at high risk for ovarian cancer, because of their family history or a positive gene test, elect to have their ovaries surgically removed. Sadly, though, despite such surgery, these women can still develop a cancer that looks and acts almost exactly like ovarian cancer. Holly Gallion and Diane Shader Smith are affiliated with the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation.