Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal forms of gynecological cancer, and it affects thousands of Canadians each year.

It’s hard to detect and even harder to treat.

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“When these cancers present, they present at an advanced stage and treatments, although they can buy time, most times they are not curable,” explained David Huntsman, professor of pathology and obstetrics-gynecology at UBC.

A new study by B.C. researchers finds that a preventative procedure can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by nearly 80 per cent.

“If we don’t have effective cures, we don’t have screening; you need prevention,” Huntsman added.

“It’s much better to stop a cancer from ever happening than worrying about what you’re going to do when it’s there.”

Opportunistic salpingectomy (OS) is the removal of one’s fallopian tubes as an add-on to another surgery.

“We certainly have routinely offered it either in lieu of tubal ligation for permanent contraception at the time of hysterectomy when ovaries were being preserved,” said Jessica McAlpine, professor of obstetrics-gynecology at UBC.

“And now increasingly at the time of colorectal procedures, considering if you’re getting your gallbladder out, if it’s a non-emergent appendectomy.”

B.C. was the first in the world to offer OS back in 2010.

Researchers say this procedure could save many lives and should be offered globally.

“We are very lucky in B.C. because there’s been a campaign and a lot of talking about this, but there needs to be greater, I think, education among patients as well as care providers,” McAlpine added.

Huntsman agrees, saying that the study changes OS from something which “sounds like a good idea to something which must be done.”

OS leaves the ovaries intact and is recommended for people who no longer wish to have children.