Ovaries and Bone Problems

Research conducted here at Johns Hopkins has confirmed that removing both ovaries (a double oophorectomy) as a way to treat or reduce a woman's risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer is not a good idea if the woman is under the age of 45.

Why? Because removing the ovaries too soon can result in the patient developing bones with low mineral density, as well as arthritis.

Greater Risk of Brittle Bones and Arthritis

Researchers analyzed more than 4,000 women and found that those who never used hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) but did have both of their ovaries removed before age 45 had a lower bone-mineral density on average than those who kept their ovaries. Additionally, the study revealed that of the women who had both ovaries removed, 45.4 percent were later diagnosed with arthritis, compared to 32 percent in the control group (who still had their ovaries).

What does all this mean? Well, that we might be able to fix one thing but then, in doing so, we may break (literally) another--in this case, bones.

Before You Have Your Ovaries Removed

So, if you are being advised to get your ovaries out, pause and give your situation careful thought. If you are considering this operation to reduce your risk, please make certain that your physician has first taken into consideration the degree of risk you'll be facing in terms of bone loss, as well as how your quality of life might be impacted if you later develop arthritis.

And if you carry a breast cancer gene, your medical oncologist who specializes in the genetics of high-risk breast and ovarian cancers needs to advise you about the timing of bilateral oophorectomies, since a gene dramatically increases your risk of getting ovarian cancer. There is no reliable screening tool presently for ovarian cancer.

For more on this study, which was presented at the recent San Antonio Breast Cancer Conference, go to the website of The American Association for Cancer Research.