Ovarian Cancer Finding May Allow at-Risk Women to Have Children

Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women.  A new sugical method of reducing cervical cancer risk has been tested in a primate animal system (rhesus macaques).  The technique involved removal of the epithelial cells coating the ovaries with detergent.  This portion of the ovaries is responsible for the majority of ovarian cancer and is not thought to be related to ovarian function.  The results, at 6 and 12 months, indicated that the ovaries retained their normal activity and that the epithelial cells did not re-grow.  Whether or not the treatment affects the fertility of the animals is not yet known.  The treatment may be able to reduce the risk of cancer in women and still preserve their ability to have a baby.