MRI, Surgery Reduce Cancer Deaths in Women with BRCA Changes

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#"> <head> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <script>window.CDEConfig = { "exitDisclaimerHref":{ "en":"\/policies\/linking", "es":"\/espanol\/politicas\/enlaces" }, "showFloatingDelighters":true, "environmentConfig":{ }, "glossaryConfig":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/glossary\/v1\/" }, "drugDictionaryConfig":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/drugdictionary\/v1\/" }, "ctsConfig":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/clinicaltrialsapi.cancer.gov\/api\/v2", "printApiBase":"https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/CTS.Print", "zipConversionEndpoint":"\/cts_api\/zip_code_lookup" }, "r4rConfig":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/r4r\/v1" }, "general":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov", "mediaServer":"https:\/\/nci-media.cancer.gov" }, "sitewideSearchConfig":{ "bestBetsApiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/bestbets\/v1\/", "searchApiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/sitewidesearch\/v1\/" }, "chartData": { "factBook": { "baseUrl": "\/about-nci\/budget\/fact-book", "dataType": "json" } } };</script> <script id="ncids-nav-info">window.ncidsNavInfo = { nav: { id: "860258", menu_type: "section-nav"}, item_id: 860258};</script> <meta name="description" content="For women with inherited harmful changes in BRCA genes, MRI surveillance and salpingo-oophorectomy can modestly reduce their risk of dying from breast and ovarian cancer, results from two studies show." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/brca-breast-ovarian-cancer-mri-surgery-fewer-deaths" /> <meta http-equiv="content-language" content="en" /> <meta name="robots" content="index" /> <meta property="og:type" content="Website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/brca-breast-ovarian-cancer-mri-surgery-fewer-deaths" /> <meta property="og:title" content="MRI, Surgery Reduce Cancer Deaths in Women with BRCA Changes" /> <meta property="og:description" content="For women with inherited harmful changes in BRCA genes, MRI surveillance and salpingo-oophorectomy can modestly reduce their risk of dying from breast and ovarian cancer, results from two studies show." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.cancer.gov/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/styles/cgov_social_media/public/cgov_image/media_image/2024-04/Cancer%20Risk-BRCA-Conceptual%20Image-V2.jpg" /> <meta name="cgdp.domain" content="cgov" /> <meta name="cgdp.template" content="default" /> <meta name="dcterms.subject" content="News and Events" /> <meta name="dcterms.type" content="cgvBlogPost" /> <meta name="dcterms.coverage" content="nciglobal,ncienterprise" /> <meta name="dcterms.isPartOf" content="CancerCurrents" /> <meta name="dcterms.isReferencedBy" content="event1,event53" /> <meta name="dcterms.issued" content="04/15/2024 - 08:00" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://www.cancer.gov/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/cgov/static/images/design-elements/icons/favicons/favicon.ico" sizes="32x32"/> <link rel="icon" href="https://www.cancer.gov/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/cgov/static/images/design-elements/icons/favicons/favicon.svg" type="image/svg+xml"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.cancer.gov/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/cgov/static/images/design-elements/icons/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png"/> <link rel="manifest" href="https://www.cancer.gov/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/cgov/static/images/design-elements/icons/favicons/site.webmanifest"/> <meta name="x-no-op" content="none" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, user-scalable=yes, initial-scale=1, minimum-scale=1" /> <script id="cgov-adobe-url" type="text/javascript" src="//assets.adobedtm.com/6a4249cd0a2c/949e98979342/launch-5f2a5357bf66.min.js" async="async"></script> <script type="application/ld+json">{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebSite", "name": "National Cancer Institute (.gov)", "url": "https://www.cancer.gov" } ] }</script> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/brca-breast-ovarian-cancer-mri-surgery-fewer-deaths" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/noticias/temas-y-relatos-blog/2024/resonancias-cirugia-disminuyen-muertes-cancer-mama-ovario" /> <title>MRI, Surgery Reduce Cancer Deaths in Women with BRCA Changes - NCI</title> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://static.cancer.gov" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Open+Sans:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,600;0,700;1,300;1,400;1,600;1,700&family=Poppins:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,500;0,600;1,300;1,400;1,500;1,600&family=Roboto+Mono:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,700;1,300;1,400;1,700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="Cancer.gov" /> <meta name="application-name" content="Cancer.gov" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/css/css_dpKR6GJ0SAlxAov6RWJNbTUa0NBSCaYTn6_G1M5wkqA.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=ncids_trans&include=eJwFwUEKwCAMBMAPCXmSJLqUQI3F3Yu_7wwvhWXhREMpdTtWYNrwT7mr1cjJruNFi3c__AH3vRO8" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/ncids_trans/dist/css/ncids-common.css?smm34w" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/ncids_trans/dist/css/blogs.css?smm34w" /> <script>var w=window;if(w.performance||w.mozPerformance||w.msPerformance||w.webkitPerformance){var d=document;AKSB=w.AKSB||{},AKSB.q=AKSB.q||[],AKSB.mark=AKSB.mark||function(e,_){AKSB.q.push(["mark",e,_||(new Date).getTime()])},AKSB.measure=AKSB.measure||function(e,_,t){AKSB.q.push(["measure",e,_,t||(new Date).getTime()])},AKSB.done=AKSB.done||function(e){AKSB.q.push(["done",e])},AKSB.mark("firstbyte",(new Date).getTime()),AKSB.prof={custid:"855684",ustr:"",originlat:"0",clientrtt:"1",ghostip:"124.155.222.135",ipv6:false,pct:"10",clientip:"8.222.208.146",requestid:"fc7178e",region:"6099",protocol:"",blver:14,akM:"dscb",akN:"ae",akTT:"O",akTX:"1",akTI:"fc7178e",ai:"547368",ra:"false",pmgn:"",pmgi:"",pmp:"",qc:""},function(e){var _=d.createElement("script");_.async="async",_.src=e;var t=d.getElementsByTagName("script"),t=t[t.length-1];t.parentNode.insertBefore(_,t)}(("https:"===d.location.protocol?"https:":"http:")+"//ds-aksb-a.akamaihd.net/aksb.min.js")}</script> </head> <body class="has-translated-content"> <a href="#main-content" class="usa-skipnav"> Skip to main content </a> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <section id="usa-banner" class="usa-banner" aria-label="Official government website"> <header class="usa-banner__header"> <div class="usa-banner__inner"> <div class="usa-banner__header-text"> An official website of the United States government </div> <a href="/espanol/noticias/temas-y-relatos-blog/2024/resonancias-cirugia-disminuyen-muertes-cancer-mama-ovario" id="lang-toggle" class="usa-button usa-button--nci-small" hreflang="es">Español</a> </div> </header> </section> <header id="nci-header" class="nci-header nci-header--megamenu" data-base-path="/"> <div class="nci-header__navbar"> <div class="nci-logo" id="extended-mega-logo"> <a href="/" aria-label="National Cancer Institute Home Page"> <picture><source media="(min-width: 1024px)" srcset="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/ncids_header/logos/Logo_NCI.svg" /> <img src="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/ncids_header/logos/Logo_NCI_Mobile.svg" alt="" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="nci-header-nav__secondary"> <button class="usa-button nci-header-mobilenav__open-btn">Menu</button> <form class="nci-header-search" method="get" action="/search/results" role="search"> <label class="usa-sr-only" for="nci-header-search__field"> Search </label> <input class="usa-input" id="nci-header-search__field" type="search" name="swKeyword" data-autosuggest-collection="cgov"/> <button class="usa-button nci-header-search__search-button" type="submit" aria-label="Search"> <span class="nci-header-search__label" aria-hidden="true">Search</span> <svg class="usa-icon" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" viewbox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M15.5 14h-.79l-.28-.27C15.41 12.59 16 11.11 16 9.5 16 5.91 13.09 3 9.5 3S3 5.91 3 9.5 5.91 16 9.5 16c1.61 0 3.09-.59 4.23-1.57l.27.28v.79l5 4.99L20.49 19l-4.99-5zm-6 0C7.01 14 5 11.99 5 9.5S7.01 5 9.5 5 14 7.01 14 9.5 11.99 14 9.5 14z"/> </svg> </button> </form> </div> </div> <nav aria-label="Primary navigation" class="nci-header-nav"> <div class="nci-header-nav__inner"> <ul class="nci-header-nav__primary"> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/about-cancer" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="829"> <span>About Cancer</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/types" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="11868"> <span>Cancer Types</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/research" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="12732"> <span>Research</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/grants-training" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="914792"> <span>Grants & Training</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/news-events" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link usa-current" data-menu-id="12664"> <span>News & Events</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/about-nci" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="10952"> <span>About NCI</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> </header> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row flex-no-wrap"> <div class="grid-col-10"> <nav class="usa-breadcrumb usa-breadcrumb--wrap" aria-label="Breadcrumbs"> <ol class="usa-breadcrumb__list"> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"> <span>Home</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/news-events" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"> <span>News & Events</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"> <span>Cancer Currents Blog</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item usa-current" aria-current="page"> <span>Studies Assess Impact of Cancer Risk-Reduction Measures for People with BRCA Changes</span> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> <section class="cgdp-page-options cgdp-page-options--top" aria-label="Page options top"> <button class="usa-button usa-button--unstyled" onclick="window.print()"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M19 8H5c-1.66 0-3 1.34-3 3v6h4v4h12v-4h4v-6c0-1.66-1.34-3-3-3zm-3 11H8v-5h8v5zm3-7c-.55 0-1-.45-1-1s.45-1 1-1 1 .45 1 1-.45 1-1 1zm-1-9H6v4h12V3z"/> </svg> <span class="usa-sr-only"> Print </span> </button> <a class="usa-button usa-button--unstyled" href="mailto:?subject=Information from the National Cancer Institute Web Site &body=I found this information on www.cancer.gov and I'd like to share it with you: https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/brca-breast-ovarian-cancer-mri-surgery-fewer-deaths %0D%0A%0D%0A NCI's Web site, www.cancer.gov, provides accurate, up-to-date, comprehensive cancer information from the U.S. government's principal agency for cancer research. If you have questions or need additional information, we invite you to contact NCI's LiveHelp instant messaging service at https://livehelp.cancer.gov, or call the NCI's Contact Center 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) (toll-free from the United States)."> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M20 4H4c-1.1 0-1.99.9-1.99 2L2 18c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h16c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V6c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm0 14H4V8l8 5 8-5v10zm-8-7L4 6h16l-8 5z"/> </svg> <span class="usa-sr-only"> Email </span> </a> </section> </div> </div> <div id="page" class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> <div class="cgdpl desktop:grid-col-9"> <main id="main-content" class="contentzone"> <div>  <article> <div class="resize-content"> <h1> Studies Assess Impact of Cancer Risk-Reduction Measures for People with BRCA Changes </h1> <div id="nvcgSubTitle"> <div class="subscribeRSS"> <a class="blogRSS" href="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIHNCI/subscriber/new?topic_id=USNIHNCI_38"><span>Subscribe</span></a> </div> </div> <div id="cgvBody" class="cgvblogpost"> <p class="blog-post-publishing-info"> <time datetime="2024-04-15T12:00:00Z">April 15, 2024</time>, by Carmen Phillips </p> <div data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.image_display_article_medium" class="embedded-entity align-right"> <figure class="image-medium centered-set"> <div class="centered-element"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/styles/cgov_article/public/cgov_image/media_image/2024-04/Cancer%20Risk-BRCA-Conceptual%20Image-V2.jpg?h=1e6eb8d0&itok=m7ucyjNq" width="640" height="480" alt="A conceptual image of a "risk dial" with the dial pointing toward the "harmful" side. " /> </div> <figcaption> <div class="caption-container no-resize"> <p>People with harmful changes, or pathogenic variants, in the <em>BRCA1</em> or <em>BRCA2</em> genes have a substantially increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.</p> <div class="image-photo-credit">Credit: National Cancer Institute</div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <p>For women in whom gene testing finds “harmful changes” in the <em>BRCA1</em> or <em>BRCA2</em> genes, leading medical groups recommend that they take specific actions to lower their chances of being diagnosed with or dying from breast and ovarian cancer.</p> <p>Results from two recent large studies now add to findings from earlier studies suggesting that following those recommendations can reduce the risk of dying from these cancers.</p> <p>In one of the studies, women with harmful changes in <em><a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000046047" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000046047&version=Patient&language=en">BRCA1</a></em> who got periodic breast <a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000045788" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000045788&version=Patient&language=en">MRI</a> scans, known as MRI surveillance, <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2815702">were less likely to die of breast cancer in the ensuing years than those who did not</a>. The same benefit wasn't seen in women with harmful <em><a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000046742" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000046742&version=Patient&language=en">BRCA2</a></em> changes, however.</p> <p>The second study analyzed the impact of surgery known as a risk-reducing <a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000322852" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000322852&version=Patient&language=en">bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy</a>, which involves removing both <a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000046687" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000046687&version=Patient&language=en">ovaries</a> and <a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000045687" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000045687&version=Patient&language=en">fallopian tubes</a>. Those with harmful <em>BRCA1</em> or <em>BRCA2</em> changes who had the surgery, the study found, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38421677/">had a lower risk of dying from ovarian cancer and breast cancer</a> than those who didn’t.</p> <p>Results from both studies were published February 29 in <em>JAMA Oncology</em>.</p> <p>“These studies show that [these] cancer risk management strategies … can save lives,” wrote Meghna Trivedi, M.D., and Katrina Armstrong, M.D., of Columbia University Irving Medical Center in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38421667/">an editorial that accompanied both studies</a>.</p> <p>Nearly all participants in the studies were White, however, raising the question of what these results mean for women of other ethnic and racial backgrounds.</p> <p>“We have to be careful about how we interpret the results” for people in these groups, said Goli Samimi, Ph.D., of NCI’s <a href="https://prevention.cancer.gov/">Division of Cancer Prevention</a>, who was not involved in the study.</p> <p>“Hopefully [these findings] are the impetus to do similar studies that focus on enrolling a diverse population of participants,” Dr. Samimi said.</p> <h2>Recommendations for genetic testing, MRI surveillance versus reality</h2> <p>Inherited changes in a host of genes can increase cancer risk. Perhaps of most concern for breast and ovarian cancer are harmful changes (often called pathogenic variants) in <em>BRCA1</em> and <em>BRCA2</em>. </p> <p>For example, 60% to 70% of people with harmful <em>BRCA1</em> or <em>BRCA2</em> changes will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the time they’re in their 70s, compared with only 13% of those who don’t have such changes.</p> <div data-embed-button="cgov_featured_content_button" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:node.embedded_feature_card" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c13f34d8-0975-4182-adbd-813d601479cc" data-langcode="en" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" class="embedded-entity align-right"> <div class="feature-card"> <a href="/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet"> <div class="image-hover"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/styles/cgov_featured/public/cgov_image/media_image/100/600/2/files/flaw-dna-background-feature.jpg?h=982f41e1&itok=40fp5HUV" width="425" height="319" alt="DNA double helix with a genetic mutation."> </div> <h3>BRCA Gene Changes: Cancer Risk & Genetic Testing</h3> <p>What to know about the cancer risks of, and genetic testing for, mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.</p> </a> </div> </div> <p>Because of the substantial risk linked to these inherited genetic changes, leading cancer organizations recommend that people who have them consider taking measures to reduce the likelihood of developing or dying from either of these cancers, explained Tuya Pal, M.D., of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Comprehensive Cancer Center in Tennessee, a member of the study team. </p> <p>But experts on inherited cancers stress, however, that recommendations are one thing. Their use in the real world is another matter entirely. The barriers and challenges are numerous, Drs. Trivedi and Armstrong wrote. </p> <p>“First and foremost, more must be done to increase the identification of” people who have harmful <em>BRCA1</em> and <em>BRCA2</em> changes, <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c13f34d8-0975-4182-adbd-813d601479cc" href="/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet">in the form of more genetic testing</a>, they wrote. </p> <p>The study’s lead investigator, Steven Narod, M.D., of Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, agreed. Recent studies show that genetic testing among at-risk people is increasing. But the fact remains, Dr. Narod said, that “too few people are getting tested.” </p> <p>For those who are able to get tested, Dr. Pal stressed that it’s critical to get counseling first by a provider with experience in genetics and cancer risk. Such counseling can help people understand what the different test results mean for them personally, including the possible risk reduction measures.</p> <aside class="callout-box-full"> <h3>Who’s At Risk of Having Harmful <em>BRCA</em> Changes?</h3> <p>According to <a href="https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/brca-related-cancer-risk-assessment-genetic-counseling-and-genetic-testing">the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force</a>, people with an increased risk of having inherited harmful <em>BRCA1</em> and <em>BRCA2</em> changes are those “with a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer or an ancestry associated with” these changes.</p> </aside> <p>Access to licensed genetic counselors can be an issue for some people, Dr. Samimi said. One study, for example, showed that they are <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32929835/">largely concentrated in heavily populated areas</a>.</p> <p>Getting MRI surveillance can also be a challenge. There are barriers like transportation issues and lack of access to facilities that can perform MRI scans. And despite the recommendations from medical organizations, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0090825823013252">not all insurers cover MRI surveillance</a> of women with harmful <em>BRCA1</em> and <em>BRCA2</em> changes.</p> <p>Given the continued challenges around the understanding of and access to recommended risk-reduction measures, Dr. Samimi said, the more evidence to support and raise awareness about them the better.</p> <p>That’s where the large international research program Dr. Narod helped initiate in the mid-1990s, called the Hereditary Breast Cancer Clinical Study Group, comes in. Known as a <a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000285673" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000285673&version=Patient&language=en">cohort study</a>, it was initially planned to include just a few hundred participants. It now has nearly 20,000 people with harmful <em>BRCA1</em> or <em>BRCA2</em> changes. </p> <h2>Reductions in breast cancer deaths    </h2> <p>The study of MRI surveillance included about 2,500 women who participate in this larger research program. About 1,750 had MRI surveillance during the study, and on average, they had five MRIs during follow-up. </p> <p>Participants were followed for an average of about 9 years, and about 14% in both the MRI and non-MRI groups were diagnosed with breast cancer during the study.</p> <p>Only a small number of participants died from breast cancer during the study. But among those with harmful <em>BRCA1</em> changes, getting MRI surveillance was estimated to reduce the deaths from breast cancer over the following 20 years by about 3%. </p> <p>The reduced likelihood of dying from breast cancer in women with harmful <em>BRCA1</em> changes was also seen when the comparison was restricted to women in the nonsurveillance group who had at least one mammogram during the study period.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">As for the lack of a statistical reduction in breast cancer deaths for those with <i>BRCA2</i> changes, it may be largely due to two factors, Dr. Narod said: the small number <span style="font-weight: 400;">of participants with these changes and who had died from breast cancer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <h2>Surgery reduces likelihood of dying from breast, ovarian cancer</h2> <p>The other study included nearly 4,300 women, of whom about two-thirds had had surgery. All participants had at least a bilateral oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries) and most had a salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes). </p> <p>About 20% of all participants were diagnosed with cancer during the study period (a <a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000044941" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000044941&version=Patient&language=en">median</a> <a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000044671" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000044671&version=Patient&language=en">follow-up</a> of 9 years), mostly breast and ovarian cancers, and most deaths were from cancer. </p> <p>The percentage of breast cancer diagnoses were very similar between those who did and didn’t have the preventive surgery, but the percentage of ovarian cancer diagnoses was markedly higher in those who didn’t get the surgery.</p> <p>Overall, participants who had oophorectomy were less likely to die from any cause, which was the study’s primary measure.</p> <p>For ovarian cancer specifically, about 3.5% of those who didn’t get surgery died from ovarian cancer during the study period, compared with about 0.25% of those who did have the surgery. For breast cancer, it was 2% and 1%.</p> <h2>More genetic testing, maximizing risk-reducing care</h2> <p>Both studies, Dr. Pal said, provide strong evidence about the potential benefits of MRI surveillance or a salpingo-oophorectomy. “That’s very impactful information,” she said.</p> <div data-embed-button="cgov_featured_content_button" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:node.embedded_feature_card" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="da2f9829-fb29-4f3f-ac47-900c83414a78" data-langcode="en" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" class="embedded-entity align-right"> <div class="feature-card"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2019/ovarian-breast-cancer-testing-inherited-genetic-mutations"> <div class="image-hover"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/styles/cgov_featured/public/cgov_image/media_image/100/300/3/files/dna-helix-under-magnifying-glass-article.jpg?h=98b0db8e&itok=QJzwcSx_" width="425" height="319" alt> </div> <h3>Low Rates of Genetic Testing in Ovarian, Breast Cancer</h3> <p>Test results can guide treatment decisions, follow-up screening.</p> </a> </div> </div> <p>Dr. Samimi said she’s hopeful that these new findings will further increase awareness about testing among those at risk of having inherited harmful genetic changes, and inform discussions between doctors and their patients about the options for reducing that risk.</p> <p>And those conversations will hopefully extend to close blood relatives of those found to have these changes, she said.</p> <p>“We have to do a better job of reaching out to families about their risk,” she continued.</p> <p>NCI is funding one such effort. Called <a href="https://prevention.cancer.gov/news-and-events/blog/studies-focus-testing-family-members-cancer-gene-carriers">Traceback</a>, the program is focused on helping researchers identify women who have had ovarian cancer but never got tested for cancer-related genetic changes. After they are found, they and their family members will be offered a chance to be tested. </p> <p>In Canada, Dr. Narod noted, there’s a study called the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8071125/">Screen Project</a> that offers testing for harmful <em>BRCA1</em> and <em>BRCA2</em> changes to Canadian citizens aged 18 and older. </p> <p>Drs. Armstrong and Trivedi stressed that there’s work to do across the board to “maximize” the care needed to prevent more breast and ovarian cancer deaths. Achieving that goal, they continued, “will require providing equitable access and [insurance] coverage” of all recommended risk-reduction actions. </p> <aside class="callout-box-full"> <h3>Removing only the fallopian tubes, at least at first</h3> <p>For younger women with harmful <em>BRCA1</em> or <em>BRCA2</em> changes, a risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy sends them into early menopause, a consequence of the ovaries being removed and the subsequent decrease in hormones. Menopause brings with it side effects like night sweats, joint pain, and sexual dysfunction.</p> <p>But several studies have shown that <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c652c8fb-f6f3-4b77-a998-0f23a42f0e23" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2017/ovarian-cancer-fallopian-tube-origins">ovarian cancer begins in the fallopian tubes</a>, so researchers are now studying whether having only the fallopian tubes removed, a salpingectomy, is enough to reduce ovarian cancer risk while also eliminating the onset of early menopause.</p> <p>An <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04251052">NCI-funded study called SOROCk</a> is looking at that very question. It’s comparing ovarian cancer outcomes in women with <em>BRCA1</em> changes who initially get a salpingectomy and delay oophorectomy until closer to menopause with those in women who have an immediate salpingo-oophorectomy.</p> </aside> </div> </div> <footer class="article-footer"> <div id='cgov-blog-post-pagination' class='clearfix'> <div class='blog-post-older'> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/new-online-april-2024">< Older Post</a> <p><i>New on NCI’s Websites for April 2024</i></p> </div> <div class='blog-post-newer'> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/colorectal-cancer-fna-c2-bacteria">Newer Post ></a> <p><i>Scientists Link a Single Type of Bacteria to Colorectal Cancer</i></p> </div> </div> <div id="nvcgSlPublicUse"> <div class="slot-item only-SI"> <div class="public-use"> <div id="block-ncids-trans-public-use"> <p><em>If you would like to reproduce some or all of this content, see <a href="/policies/copyright-reuse">Reuse of NCI Information</a> for guidance about copyright and permissions. In the case of permitted digital reproduction, please credit the National Cancer Institute as the source and link to the original NCI product using the original product's title; e.g., “Studies Assess Impact of Cancer Risk-Reduction Measures for People with BRCA Changes was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.”</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </article>  </div> </main> </div>   <div class="cgdpl desktop:grid-col-3"> <div id="nvcgSlListBlogRTRail" class="right-rail"> <div class="slot-item"> <div class="managed list with-date"> <h2 id="Featured+Posts">Featured Posts</h2> <ul> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/medical-cannabis-oncologists-patients-communication">Oncologists Struggle to Answer Questions About Medical Cannabis</a> <div class="byline"> <p> October 16, 2024, by Carmen Phillips </p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/mammogram-false-positives-affect-future-screening">Mammogram False Positives Can Affect Future Screening Behavior</a> <div class="byline"> <p> October 4, 2024, by Edward Winstead </p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/ancient-retrovirus-dna-ltr10-cancer">DNA From an Ancient Virus Helps Many Cancers Grow</a> <div class="byline"> <p> September 6, 2024, by Nadia Jaber </p> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="slot-item"> <div class="managed list without-date"> <h2 id="Categories">Categories</h2> <ul> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=biology">Biology of Cancer</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=cancer-risk">Cancer Risk</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=childhood-cancer">Childhood Cancer</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=clinical-trial-results">Clinical Trial Results</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=disparities">Disparities</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=fda-approvals">FDA Approvals</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=global-health">Global Health</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=leadership-expert-views">Leadership & Expert Views</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=prevention">Prevention</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=prognosis">Prognosis</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=screening-early-detection">Screening & Early Detection</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=survivorship-supportive-care">Survivorship & Supportive Care</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=technology">Technology</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=treatment">Treatment</a> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="slot-item"> <div class="desktop"> <div id="blog-archive-accordion"> <h2 id="archive" class="blog-archive-header"> Archive </h2> <div id="blog-archive-accordion-year"> <h3> 2024 </h3> <ul class="ui-helper-reset"> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2024&month=11"> November </a> (5) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2024&month=10"> October </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2024&month=09"> September </a> (5) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2024&month=08"> August </a> (9) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2024&month=07"> July </a> (6) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2024&month=06"> June </a> (5) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2024&month=05"> May </a> (9) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2024&month=04"> April </a> (6) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2024&month=03"> March </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2024&month=02"> February </a> (6) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2024&month=01"> January </a> (6) </li> </ul> <h3> 2023 </h3> <ul class="ui-helper-reset"> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2023&month=12"> December </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2023&month=11"> November </a> (6) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2023&month=10"> October </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2023&month=09"> September </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2023&month=08"> August </a> (6) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2023&month=07"> July </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2023&month=06"> June </a> (8) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2023&month=05"> May </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2023&month=04"> April </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2023&month=03"> March </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2023&month=02"> February </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2023&month=01"> January </a> (6) </li> </ul> <h3> 2022 </h3> <ul class="ui-helper-reset"> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2022&month=12"> December </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2022&month=11"> November </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2022&month=10"> October </a> (5) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2022&month=09"> September </a> (6) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2022&month=08"> August </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2022&month=07"> July </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2022&month=06"> June </a> (8) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2022&month=05"> May </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2022&month=04"> April </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2022&month=03"> March </a> (8) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2022&month=02"> February </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2022&month=01"> January </a> (6) </li> </ul> <h3> 2021 </h3> <ul class="ui-helper-reset"> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2021&month=12"> December </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2021&month=11"> November </a> (4) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2021&month=10"> October </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2021&month=09"> September </a> (9) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2021&month=08"> August </a> (6) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2021&month=07"> July </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2021&month=06"> June </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2021&month=05"> May </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2021&month=04"> April </a> (8) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2021&month=03"> March </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2021&month=02"> February </a> (5) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2021&month=01"> January </a> (6) </li> </ul> <h3> 2020 </h3> <ul class="ui-helper-reset"> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2020&month=12"> December </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2020&month=11"> November </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2020&month=10"> October </a> (8) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2020&month=09"> September </a> (6) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2020&month=08"> August </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2020&month=07"> July </a> (9) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2020&month=06"> June </a> (8) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2020&month=05"> May </a> (8) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2020&month=04"> April </a> (10) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2020&month=03"> March </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2020&month=02"> February </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2020&month=01"> January </a> (7) </li> </ul> <h3> 2019 </h3> <ul class="ui-helper-reset"> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2019&month=12"> December </a> (6) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2019&month=11"> November </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2019&month=10"> October </a> (8) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2019&month=09"> September </a> (8) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2019&month=08"> August </a> (6) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2019&month=07"> July </a> (8) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2019&month=06"> June </a> (6) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2019&month=05"> May </a> (9) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2019&month=04"> April </a> (7) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2019&month=03"> March </a> (10) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2019&month=02"> February </a> (9) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2019&month=01"> January </a> (6) </li> </ul> <h3> 2018 </h3> <ul class="ui-helper-reset"> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2018&month=12"> December </a> (9) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2018&month=11"> November </a> (9) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2018&month=10"> October </a> (9) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2018&month=09"> September </a> (11) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2018&month=08"> August </a> (9) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2018&month=07"> July </a> (9) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2018&month=06"> June </a> (12) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2018&month=05"> May </a> (9) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2018&month=04"> April </a> (10) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2018&month=03"> March </a> (11) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2018&month=02"> February </a> (11) </li> <li class="month"> <a href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?year=2018&month=01"> January </a> (10) </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>  </div> <section class="cgdp-page-options cgdp-page-options--bottom" aria-label="Page options bottom"> <button class="usa-button usa-button--unstyled" onclick="window.print()"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M19 8H5c-1.66 0-3 1.34-3 3v6h4v4h12v-4h4v-6c0-1.66-1.34-3-3-3zm-3 11H8v-5h8v5zm3-7c-.55 0-1-.45-1-1s.45-1 1-1 1 .45 1 1-.45 1-1 1zm-1-9H6v4h12V3z"/> </svg> <span class="usa-sr-only"> Print </span> </button> <a class="usa-button usa-button--unstyled" href="mailto:?subject=Information from the National Cancer Institute Web Site &body=I found this information on www.cancer.gov and I'd like to share it with you: https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/brca-breast-ovarian-cancer-mri-surgery-fewer-deaths %0D%0A%0D%0A NCI's Web site, www.cancer.gov, provides accurate, up-to-date, comprehensive cancer information from the U.S. government's principal agency for cancer research. If you have questions or need additional information, we invite you to contact NCI's LiveHelp instant messaging service at https://livehelp.cancer.gov, or call the NCI's Contact Center 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) (toll-free from the United States)."> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M20 4H4c-1.1 0-1.99.9-1.99 2L2 18c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h16c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V6c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm0 14H4V8l8 5 8-5v10zm-8-7L4 6h16l-8 5z"/> </svg> <span class="usa-sr-only"> Email </span> </a> </section> </div> <div id="block-ncidsfooterenglish"> <footer class="usa-footer usa-footer--nci-big" id="nci-footer" aria-label="Footer" > <div class="grid-container usa-footer__return-to-top"> <a href="#top" aria-label="Back To Top"><span>Back To Top</span></a> </div> <div class="usa-footer__primary-section"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="tablet:grid-col-8"> <nav class="usa-footer__nav" aria-label="Footer navigation"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap-4"> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-4"> <section class="usa-footer__primary-content usa-footer__primary-content--collapsible" > <div class="usa-footer__primary-link">About</div> <ul class="usa-list usa-list--unstyled"> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/about-website">About This Website</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/espanol">en Español</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/copyright-reuse">Reuse & Copyright</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/social-media">Social Media</a> </li> </ul> </section> </div> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-4"> <section class="usa-footer__primary-content usa-footer__primary-content--collapsible" > <div class="usa-footer__primary-link">Resources</div> <ul class="usa-list usa-list--unstyled"> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/contact">Contact Us</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/publications">Publications</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms" >Dictionary of Cancer Terms</a > </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/research/participate/clinical-trials-search" >Find a Clinical Trial</a > </li> </ul> </section> </div> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-4"> <section class="usa-footer__primary-content usa-footer__primary-content--collapsible" > <div class="usa-footer__primary-link">Policies</div> <ul class="usa-list usa-list--unstyled"> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/accessibility">Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/foia">FOIA</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/privacy-security" >Privacy & Security</a > </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/disclaimer">Disclaimers</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" >Vulnerability Disclosure</a > </li> </ul> </section> </div> </div> </nav> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-4"> <div class="usa-sign-up"> <div class="usa-sign-up__heading">Sign up for email updates</div> <form action="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIHNCI/subscribers/qualify" aria-label="Footer subscribe" class="usa-form" accept-charset="UTF-8" method="post" novalidate target="_blank" id="signup" > <input type="hidden" name="category_id" id="category_id" value="" /> <div class="usa-form-group"> <label class="usa-label" for="email"> Enter your email address </label> <input class="usa-input width-full" id="email" name="email" type="email" value="" /> </div> <button class="usa-button usa-button--accent-warm" type="submit"> Sign up </button> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="usa-footer__secondary-section"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="usa-footer__logo grid-row desktop:grid-col-5"> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-auto desktop:margin-bottom-3"> <p class="usa-footer__logo-heading"> <span class="logo__agency-name">National Cancer Institute </span> <span class="logo__parent-organization" >at the National Institutes of Health</span > </p> </div> </div> <div class="usa-footer__contact-links mobile-lg:grid-col-7"> <div class="usa-footer__contact-heading">Contact Us</div> <div class="usa-footer__address"> <div class="usa-footer__contact-info grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="tablet:grid-col-auto"> <a href="https://livehelp.cancer.gov/">Live Chat</a> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-auto"> <a href="tel:1-800-4-CANCER">1-800-4-CANCER</a> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-auto"> <a href="mailto:NCIinfo@nih.gov">NCIinfo@nih.gov</a> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-auto"> <a class="no-exit-notification" href="https://nci.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aeLLobt6ZeGVn5I" target="_blank" >Site Feedback</a > </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="usa-footer__social-links desktop:grid-col-5"> <div class="usa-footer__social-heading">Follow us</div> <div class="grid-row grid-gap-1 nci-big__social"> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://www.facebook.com/cancer.gov" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="facebook-title" > <title id="facebook-title">Facebook</title> <rect fill="none" height="24" width="24" /> <path d="M22,12c0-5.52-4.48-10-10-10S2,6.48,2,12c0,4.84,3.44,8.87,8,9.8V15H8v-3h2V9.5C10,7.57,11.57,6,13.5,6H16v3h-2 c-0.55,0-1,0.45-1,1v2h3v3h-3v6.95C18.05,21.45,22,17.19,22,12z" /> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://twitter.com/thenci" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="x-title" > <title id="x-title">Follow on X</title> <path d="M12 22c5.5 0 10-4.5 10-10S17.5 2 12 2 2 6.5 2 12s4.5 10 10 10zm5.2-15.6L13.3 11l4.3 6.2h-3.1L11.6 13 8 17.2h-.9l4.1-4.8-4.1-6h3.1l2.7 3.9 3.4-3.9h.9zm-5.6 5.4.4.6 2.8 4h1.4l-3.5-5-.4-.6-2.6-3.7H8.3l3.3 4.7z" /> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://www.instagram.com/nationalcancerinstitute/" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="instagram-title" > <title id="instagram-title">Instagram</title> <g id="Instagram"> <path d="M12,10a2,2,0,1,0,2,2A2,2,0,0,0,12,10Z" /> <path d="M12,2A10,10,0,1,0,22,12,10,10,0,0,0,12,2Zm6,12.69A3.32,3.32,0,0,1,14.69,18H9.31A3.32,3.32,0,0,1,6,14.69V9.31A3.32,3.32,0,0,1,9.31,6h5.38A3.32,3.32,0,0,1,18,9.31Z" /> <path d="M16.94,9.31a2.25,2.25,0,0,0-2.25-2.25H9.31A2.25,2.25,0,0,0,7.06,9.31v5.38a2.25,2.25,0,0,0,2.25,2.25h5.38a2.25,2.25,0,0,0,2.25-2.25h0ZM12,15.09A3.09,3.09,0,1,1,15.09,12,3.09,3.09,0,0,1,12,15.09Zm3.77-5.75a.79.79,0,0,1-.55.23.83.83,0,0,1-.55-.23.78.78,0,0,1,0-1.11A.82.82,0,0,1,15.22,8a.78.78,0,0,1,.55,1.33Z" /> </g> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://www.youtube.com/NCIgov" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="youtube-title" > <title id="youtube-title">Youtube</title> <g id="YouTube"> <path d="M12,2A10,10,0,1,0,22,12,10,10,0,0,0,12,2Zm5.75,12.91A1.49,1.49,0,0,1,16.69,16a34.65,34.65,0,0,1-4.69.26A34.65,34.65,0,0,1,7.31,16a1.49,1.49,0,0,1-1.06-1.06A15.88,15.88,0,0,1,6,12a15.88,15.88,0,0,1,.25-2.91A1.49,1.49,0,0,1,7.31,8,34.65,34.65,0,0,1,12,7.77,34.65,34.65,0,0,1,16.69,8a1.49,1.49,0,0,1,1.06,1.06A15.88,15.88,0,0,1,18,12,15.88,15.88,0,0,1,17.75,14.91Z" /> <polygon points="10.77 13.78 13.91 12 10.77 10.22 10.77 13.78" /> </g> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nationalcancerinstitute/" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="linkedin-title" > <title id="linkedin-title">Linkedin</title> <g id="final"> <path d="M12,2C6.48,2,2,6.48,2,12s4.48,10,10,10s10-4.48,10-10S17.52,2,12,2z M8.912001,17.584H6.584v-7.472h2.328001V17.584z M7.744,9.104C6.992,9.104,6.4,8.488,6.4,7.76c0-0.752,0.592-1.344,1.344-1.344c0.728,0,1.343999,0.592,1.343999,1.344 C9.087999,8.488,8.472,9.104,7.744,9.104z M17.6,17.584h-2.328v-3.64c0-0.856-0.024001-1.967999-1.216001-1.967999 s-1.392,0.927999-1.392,1.912v3.696H10.36v-7.472h2.224v1.008h0.024c0.464-0.752,1.296-1.216001,2.199999-1.192 c2.352001,0,2.792,1.552001,2.792,3.544001C17.6,13.472,17.6,17.584,17.6,17.584z" /> </g> </svg> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="usa-footer__contact-links desktop:grid-col-7"> <div class="usa-footer__address height-full"> <div class="usa-footer__contact-info grid-row grid-gap height-full"> <address> <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/" >U.S. Department of Health and Human Services </a> <a href="https://www.nih.gov/" >National Institutes of Health </a> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/">National Cancer Institute </a> <a href="https://usa.gov/">USA.gov</a> </address> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> </div> <script src="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/js/js_qW3TLjdEty3QtOepUCSY4uh6BQEGkRIL3qUMnp3WXG4.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=ncids_trans&include=eJwFwUEKwCAMBMAPCXmSJLqUQI3F3Yu_7wwvhWXhREMpdTtWYNrwT7mr1cjJruNFi3c__AH3vRO8"></script> <script src="/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/ncids_trans/dist/js/ncids-common.js?smm34w"></script> <script src="/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/ncids_trans/dist/js/blogs.js?smm34w"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

MRI, Surgery Reduce Cancer Deaths in Women with BRCA Changes - NCI