What is the most effective method to prevent ovarian cancer in women at high risk due to family history?

Prophylactic oophorectomy is considered the most effective method to prevent ovarian cancer in women at high risk due to family history, particularly those who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. This surgical procedure involves the removal of the ovaries and is shown to significantly reduce the risk of developing ovarian and breast cancers. The rationale behind this is that removing the ovaries eliminates the primary site for ovarian cancer and decreases the amount of estrogen, which can contribute to the development of some types of breast cancer.

While options like routine pelvic exams, oral contraceptive use, and regular screenings may have some role in monitoring or reducing risk, they are not as definitive in preventing ovarian cancer. Routine pelvic exams are more useful for detecting existing issues rather than preventing them. Oral contraceptives can lower the risk of ovarian cancer, but they do not eliminate the risk entirely. Regular screenings, such as transvaginal ultrasounds and CA-125 blood tests, have not been shown to effectively prevent ovarian cancer and can often result in false positives leading to unnecessary interventions. Therefore, for high-risk women, prophylactic oophorectomy stands out as the most reliable preventive measure.