Routine Surgery Could Cut Ovarian Cancer Risk by 80%

A simple add-on procedure during pelvic surgeries could prevent thousands of deaths, but most women aren't told about it.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A simple add-on procedure called opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy, which involves removing both fallopian tubes during an unrelated pelvic surgery, could potentially prevent thousands of deaths from ovarian cancer every year. However, many surgeons and patients remain unaware of this option, which research shows can reduce ovarian cancer risk by around 80%.

Why it matters

Ovarian cancer is known as the 'silent killer' because it lacks reliable screening methods and typically causes no obvious symptoms in the early stages. Most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease, and in the US, about half survive for 5 years. Researchers have found that many ovarian cancers originate in the fallopian tubes, raising the possibility that removing them could avert many cases.

The details

The procedure, called opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy, involves removing both fallopian tubes during an unrelated pelvic surgery, such as a hysterectomy, in women who are past their childbearing years. Several large population-based studies have confirmed that salpingectomy is associated with a roughly 80% reduction in ovarian cancer risk. The procedure adds only 5-13 minutes to another planned surgery, is low-risk, and appears cost-effective.

  • In 2023, a systematic review concluded that salpingectomy was associated with a roughly 80% reduction in ovarian cancer risk.
  • In February 2026, a retrospective cohort study in JAMA Network Open found that among 85,823 women, those who underwent opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy had 5 or fewer serous ovarian cancers diagnosed, compared to 21 in the comparison group, amounting to a risk reduction of nearly 80%.

The players

Rebecca L. Stone, MD

A gynecologic oncologist and surgeon at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore.

Gillian Hanley, PhD

A researcher at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, who authored the 2026 study in JAMA Network Open.

Joseph V. Sakran, MD, MPH

The executive vice-chair of surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine who moderated a session on opportunistic salpingectomy at the American College of Surgeons' annual meeting.

Kara C. Long, MD

A surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City who has helped raise awareness about opportunistic salpingectomy.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

A medical organization that endorses opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy as an option for ovarian cancer prevention.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are now in a position where we can outsmart a disease that has eluded us for centuries, but if doctors don't bring it up, women won't know.”

— Rebecca L. Stone, MD, Gynecologic oncologist and surgeon (Medscape Medical News)

“This is [a] study at the population level to calculate the risk reduction from salpingectomy when done truly opportunistically — for the purpose of ovarian cancer prevention — during other gynecologic surgeries.”

— Gillian Hanley, PhD, Researcher (Medscape Medical News)

“Ovarian cancer is frequently detected late, with devastating outcomes. Although ovarian cancer might initially seem like a challenge best left to gynecologic oncologists, exploring other opportunities to prevent ovarian cancer with general surgeons is critical.”

— Joseph V. Sakran, MD, MPH, Executive vice-chair of surgery (News release)

“For those of us caring for patients with ovarian cancer, this isn't just a statistic but is less pain and suffering in our clinics and fewer lives lost.”

— Kara C. Long, MD, Surgeon (News release)

What’s next

The American Cancer Society has partnered with the Break Through Cancer foundation to educate clinicians and the public about the benefits of opportunistic salpingectomy. There is also now a specific ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (Z40.82) for the procedure, which could help increase its adoption.

The takeaway

This simple add-on procedure during routine pelvic surgeries could dramatically reduce the burden of ovarian cancer, a deadly disease that is often detected too late. By raising awareness among both patients and surgeons, more women may be able to choose this effective and low-risk option to help outsmart ovarian cancer.