Prevention of Ovarian Cancer: Where are We Now and Where are We Going?

To describe current and future strategies to reduce the burden of ovarian cancer through prevention.

Current strategies in genetic testing are missing a substantial number of individuals at risk, representing a missed opportunity for ovarian cancer prevention. Past efforts at screening and early detection have thus far failed to improve ovarian cancer mortality, and novel techniques are needed. Surgical prevention is highly effective, but surgical menopause from oophorectomy has significant side effects. Novel surgical strategies aimed at reducing risk while minimizing these harms are currently being studied.

To maximize ovarian cancer prevention, a multi-pronged approach is needed. We propose that more inclusive and accurate genetic testing to identify more individuals at risk, novel molecular screening and early detection, surgical prevention that maximizes quality of life while reducing risk, and broader adoption of targeted and opportunistic salpingectomy will together reduce the burden of ovarian cancer.