A 38-year-old woman is found to carry a BRCA1 pathogenic variant. She has no personal history of cancer but has strong family history. She elects for risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO). At what age is RRSO typically recommended for BRCA1 carriers?

• A 30-35 years
• B 35-40 years ✓
• C 40-45 years
• D 50-55 years

Explanation

For BRCA1 mutation carriers, risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is recommended between ages 35-40 years (after completion of childbearing) because ovarian cancer risk begins rising significantly in the late 30s for BRCA1 carriers. For BRCA2 carriers, RRSO can be deferred to age 40-45 years as ovarian cancer tends to occur later. RRSO reduces ovarian cancer risk by >80% and also reduces breast cancer risk if performed premenopausally in BRCA1 carriers.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.