prophylactic oophorectomy

Prophylactic oophorectomy is a preventive surgical procedure where the ovaries are removed to reduce the risk of developing ovarian or breast cancer, especially for women with a genetic predisposition like BRCA mutations. By removing the ovaries before any cancer develops, it significantly decreases the chance of cancer but also causes menopause-like symptoms due to the sudden loss of ovarian hormones. This procedure is typically considered after thorough discussion with healthcare providers about the risks and benefits, often as part of a strategy to manage inherited cancer risk.