A new approach to surgery could significantly reduce the incidence of ovarian cancer among women in Australia. Research indicates that approximately 65 percent of ovarian cancers originate in the fallopian tubes and subsequently spread to the ovaries. Removing these tubes during routine surgeries may prevent thousands of diagnoses and related deaths annually.
The push for opportunistic salpingectomy, or the removal of fallopian tubes during other abdominal surgeries, is gaining momentum across Australia. Associate Professor Orla McNally from the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne is at the forefront of this initiative. She emphasizes the importance of this procedure, noting, “From published research, it’s been established that 65 percent of ovarian cancers probably start in the fallopian tubes, particularly the aggressive type of cancer that is often diagnosed at a later stage.”
Recent findings from a study published in August 2025 highlighted that a quarter of the 1,877 women diagnosed with high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) missed opportunities to have their fallopian tubes removed during prior surgeries. Dr. Amy Wilson, a senior research advisor at the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, described opportunistic salpingectomy as “the most effective prevention strategy we have at the moment.” She added, “The decrease in risk really varies per study, but it’s up to 70 percent, which is incredible.”
Despite the potential benefits, challenges remain. Dr. Wilson pointed to a lack of training among non-gynaecological surgeons and insufficient awareness among both medical professionals and the public as barriers to implementing this procedure in Australia. “You need to train surgeons to take out the fallopian tubes safely while preserving the ovaries,” she explained. She encourages women to discuss this option with their healthcare providers.
The procedure only adds approximately 15 minutes to an existing operation, such as hernia repair or gallbladder surgery, according to Associate Professor McNally. “It is considered a low-risk procedure for someone who is undergoing another operation,” she said. This method of cancer prevention has already been adopted in several countries, including Canada, Germany, Austria, and Sweden, particularly for women who do not plan to have children in the future.
Data from Canadian modeling suggests that routinely offering opportunistic salpingectomy during abdominal surgeries could prevent one in five cases of ovarian cancer. The economic implications are substantial; the average annual cost of treating ovarian cancer in Australia is around $66,000 per patient, with the overall economic burden—including lost productivity and premature death—exceeding $3 billion per year. “Even if you’re reducing a fifth of ovarian cancer cases, which doesn’t sound like a lot, that’s a huge win for our economy,” Dr. Wilson stated.
In Australia, approximately 1,815 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, and around 1,000 succumb to the disease. The absence of an early detection test, combined with vague symptoms, results in 70 percent of cases being diagnosed only after the cancer has spread. The average five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer stands at 49 percent, a stark contrast to the 92 percent for breast cancer and 74 percent for cervical cancer.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists currently recommends offering fallopian tube removal to women at average risk of ovarian cancer during hysterectomies or sterilization procedures. Associate Professor McNally advocates for the extension of this recommendation to include other abdominal or pelvic surgeries, thereby further decreasing the risk of ovarian cancer for eligible women. “It’s very much for women who have completed their family, maybe from the age of 45,” she explained, adding that this is an irreversible step regarding future pregnancies.
Bridget Bradhurst, acting chief of support and advocacy at Ovarian Cancer Australia, highlights the urgency for women to explore options to mitigate their risk, especially in the absence of early detection tests. “It is great to know that more people are exploring this option with their surgical team,” she said. “We look forward to continuing to work with the clinical community to help put recommendations into practice, so women have more options to manage their ovarian cancer risk.”
Common symptoms of ovarian cancer include increased abdominal size, persistent bloating, abdominal or pelvic pain, a feeling of fullness after eating small amounts, and frequent or urgent urination. Currently, there is no system-wide policy in Australia regarding opportunistic salpingectomy, which is only performed when clinically necessary. The evolving dialogue surrounding this procedure highlights a significant opportunity for preventive healthcare in the fight against ovarian cancer.
