Attitudes towards early salpingectomy for ovarian cancer prevention

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Survey to Determine Attitudes of Women at High Risk of Ovarian Cancer Towards Risk Reducing Early Salpingectomy with Delayed Oophorectomy (RRESDO) for Ovarian Cancer Prevention

• IRAS ID

  176922

• Contact name

  Ranjit Manchanda

• Contact email

  r.manchanda@qmul.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Queen Mary University of London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  3 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Women at high risk of developing ovarian cancer are currently recommended to consider surgery to remove their fallopian tubes and ovaries once they have completed their family. This is in order to significantly reduce their risk of
  developing ovarian cancer and is usually undertaken after the ages of 35-40 years. Removal of the ovaries at an early age leads to early menopause. Early menopause leads to thinning of the bones, a higher risk of heart disease, hot flushes, sweats and an adverse impact on sexual function. A number of women choose to decline or delay this operation to avoid the potential drawbacks of early menopause. New research suggests that a number of ovarian cancers begin in the fallopian tube. Experts have proposed that removal of the fallopian tubes alone would provide some protection from developing ovarian cancer. Those women who wish to avoid/delay removal of ovaries, could potentially have their fallopian tubes removed and undergo ovarian removal after the menopause. We plan to ascertain views of high risk women on this issue. Data on this issue are limited and the views of UK women are unknown.

  Women who are at high risk of developing cancer such as BRCA1/BRCA2 carriers or those with a strong family history of cancer will be invited to complete a questionnaire. Participants will be recruited through NHS clinics and patient support groups. We will collect information about their personal and family history of cancer, their opinions on early menopause, and their attitudes towards initially the new method of having their tubes removed followed by delayed removal of ovaries to prevent themselves from getting ovarian cancer.

• REC name

  West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  17/WM/0324

• Date of REC Opinion

  21 Aug 2017

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion