Ovary Removal Reduces risk of Breast Cancer in Females with BRCA1 Gene Mutation

Previously studies had established that females with BRCA1 and BRCA 2 gene mutation are 70% more likely to contract breast cancer. Moreover, this can also increases the chances of such women to contract Ovarian Cancer. However, Uncover California reports that such risks can be minimized following an ovary removal procedure.

Researchers have published in the JAMA oncology journal that this causes a reduction of about 62% in deaths due to cancer. Moreover, the study involved 676 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer out of which 345 had undergone oophorectomy while the other 331 had retained their ovaries.

It was observed that women with BRCA 1 gene mutation who had had an oophorectomy reduced the risk of death due to cancer by about 62% while the ones with BRCA 2 gene mutation reduced this risk by about 43%. Moreover, their 20 year life expectancy was also increased by 77.4%.

Furthermore, according to the reports by the Times Gazette researchers have expressed their inability to treat women at an advanced stage of breast cancer. They added that the success of this method is limited to females at Stage 1 or 2.

According to Dr Mary L Disis this study forms an empirical relation between oophorectomy and women with BRCA 1 gene mutation suffering from breast cancer. This is good news for cancer afflicted women globally as doctors might now add oophorectomy as an essential part of treatment for patients at an early stage.

The recent awareness regarding genetic testing can be attributed to Angelina Jolie who confessed to having had an oophorectomy last year. She was also a part of the campaign dedicated to increasing awareness about risk of breast cancer in women with BRCA 1 mutation.

It was also specified that breast cancer accounts for a significant number of female deaths every year and it is high time that an efficient solution is found for the same.