Society of Gynecologic Oncology recommendations for the prevention of ovarian cancer

Mortality from ovarian cancer may be dramatically reduced with the implementation of attainable prevention strategies. The new understanding of the cells of origin and the molecular etiology of ovarian cancer warrants a strong recommendation to the public and health care providers. This document discusses potential prevention strategies, which include 1) oral contraceptive use, 2) tubal sterilization, 3) risk‐reducing salpingo‐oophorectomy in women at high hereditary risk of breast and ovarian cancer, 4) genetic counseling and testing for women with ovarian cancer and other high‐risk families, and 5) salpingectomy after childbearing is complete (at the time of elective pelvic surgeries, at the time of hysterectomy, and as an alternative to tubal ligation). The Society of Gynecologic Oncology has determined that recent scientific breakthroughs warrant a new summary of the progress toward the prevention of ovarian cancer. This review is intended to emphasize the importance of the fallopian tubes as a potential source of high‐grade serous cancer in women with and without known genetic mutations in addition to the use of oral contraceptive pills to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Cancer 2015;121:2108–2120. © 2015 American Cancer Society. Death from ovarian cancer could theoretically be reduced with feasible interventions for all women and with the identification of high‐risk women for genetic testing and risk‐reducing salpingo‐oophorectomy. Women and their physicians should consider oral contraceptives for prevention, opportunistic salpingectomy for sterilization at the completion of childbearing, and salpingectomy at the time of hysterectomy.