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“The American Cancer Society is now working on a national campaign to make more women and doctors aware that tube removal can help prevent most ovarian cancers.” My mother died of ovarian cancer. I’m glad to see this. And the science story here is also worth the read. 1/2 🧪

nytimes.comMost ‘Ovarian Cancer’ Isn’t. And That Fact Can Save Lives.The vast majority of cases begin in the fallopian tubes — and removing them can reduce the risk by nearly 80 percent.

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‘I was at a few conferences at the time as a Ph.D. student,” Dr. Piek said. Most attendees, he recalled, said “he’s a lunatic.” Others, he added, were intrigued.’ “Years of work followed.” That’s a good illustration of how science often goes.

Giving them the most grace possible: if they wanted to redesign the US science research system they should have done so via a public process— commissions, engaging Congress, working w patients and scientists. Science needs long term planning to function well. The current situation is a great shame.

I mentioned this to my doctor at my last women's health exam. She was aware of the data but kind of gruffly dismissed it saying that surgery carries it's own risk. I shared that the recommendation is if a woman is already undergoing abdominal surgery it be offered. She gave me a Dr. Google side eye.