Description
Ovarian cancer affects about 1 in 90 women, there is no screening test for it, and it rarely causes symptoms until it has already spread. For Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, I sat down with Dr. Kara Long, an ovarian cancer surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering, to talk about the discovery that changed everything we know about this disease: the most common and deadliest form of ovarian cancer actually starts in the fallopian tubes, not the ovaries.
Dr. Long walks us through why ultrasounds and blood tests can't catch it early, what the new data shows about fallopian tube removal (salpingectomy) and ovarian cancer prevention, and what the new American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines released this August mean for anyone who is finished having children, having a hysterectomy, or considering permanent birth control. We also talk about genetic testing, BRCA and beyond, why your family history matters more than you might think, and the real barriers to access. Plus, she shares what every woman should know about preventing cervical, endometrial, and vulvar cancer, including the HPV vaccine, hormone replacement, and the warning signs you should never ignore. Dr. Long has already seen this advice save a life: a woman who heard her speak on the topic took action, and it led to catching an aggressive ovarian cancer in time. As Dr. Long said, if even one or two people hear this and make a choice, it could save their lives. Please share it with the women you love. You could save a life.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:02:00) Ovarian cancer by the numbers
(00:05:30) Why there's no screening test
(00:07:21) The fallopian tube discovery
(00:12:38) New data and the ACOG guidelines
(00:17:21) Family history and genetic testing
(00:26:23) Does tube removal cause menopause?
(00:28:29) Preventing other gynecologic cancers
(00:38:45) Dr. Long's prevention work
(00:44:50) Women's health and access
(00:49:44) Closing
Thanks so much for listening! If you loved this conversation, please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, it really does help other listeners find the show. For more from Leslie, including exclusive essays and behind-the-scenes takes on every episode, subscribe to the Duologue Substack.
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Resources
Outsmart Ovarian Cancer: outsmartovariancancer.org
American Cancer Society: cancer.org
Guest photos courtesy of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
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