Doctors urge women to remove fallopian tubes to reduce ovarian cancer risk

HEALTH Doctors urge women to remove fallopian tubes to reduce ovarian cancer risk By Rachel Goodman Global News Posted September 23, 2026 1:34 pm 3 min read Doctors in Toronto want more people to know about a surgery that can drastically reduce a person's risk for ovarian cancer. Health reporter Katherine Ward explains how the procedure works, and why surgeon's are pushing for more awareness. LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE Doctors are urging women to consider removing their fallopian tubes as growing evidence suggests it could reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer by roughly 80 per cent. About 3,000 women in Canada are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year, and 2,000 of them will die, Dr. Elyse Lackie, an OB/GYN, told Global News. But a highly effective procedure to remove the fallopian tubes, where most ovarian cancers are believed to develop — known as an opportunistic salpingectomy — is proving to be an effective preventative measure, she explained. 2:03 Call for greater access to ovarian cancer treatments in Canada Call for greater access to ovarian cancer treatments in Canada Advocating for ovarian cancer awareness Deadliest ovarian cancers now believed to originate in fallopian tubes, physicians say. Next Video STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT The procedure takes less than five minutes and is done on patients already undergoing surgery in the abdominal area and who don’t want children or have finished having children. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY HEALTH NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. Ovarian cancer is particularly deadly because it is often caught in its later stages due to a lack of observable symptoms or accurate tests that help to catch it early, resulting in low survival rates and limited treatment options. “Essentially you’re not gonna see it at all, you’re not going to feel it at all, until it’s really advanced and that’s often too late,” Lackie said. According to a study at the University of British Columbia (UBC) earlier this year, removing the fallopian tubes leaves the ovaries intact, preserving important hormone production and leading to minimal side effects from…