Deciding whether to have an operation to remove your womb and ovaries
This session is for you if:
- You have Lynch syndrome.
- You are thinking about whether to have an operation to remove your womb (and possibly ovaries/fallopian tubes).
- You are not currently planning treatment for cancer.
You might also be looking for information as you consider genetic testing for Lynch, or for a family member or loved one.
How will this session help me?
Decisions about your health can be difficult, and there is no right or wrong choice.
This session helps you to think about your choices and what they mean for you.
The session gives you:
- Brief information about your choices, followed by more details if you want them.
- Support to help you think about what’s important to you.
- A summary to take back to your GP or genetics service or talk about with your family.
What are my choices?
- People with Lynch syndrome have a higher chance of getting cancers of the womb and sometimes (depending which Lynch gene is involved) ovaries and fallopian tubes.
- People can choose to have an operation to remove their womb. The cervix is usually removed at the same time.
- The ovaries and fallopian tubes might be removed at the same, time, but this depends on which Lynch gene your variant is in.
- This operation is called a risk-reducing operation and is done to lower the chance of getting cancers of the womb (called endometrial cancer), ovaries, fallopian tubes or cervix.
- This operation would only be recommended after people are certain they will not be trying to have a baby anymore, and usually only after age 35-40. For current guidelines that can be shared with your doctor, please click here
- You can choose to:
Have the operation at a time that’s right for you
Not have the operation
Wait to decide later if you’re not ready now
- This decision is personal. There is no right or wrong decision as everyone is different.
- This session will help you decide what is right for you at the moment.
- You will get a summary of your preferences that you can discuss with a GP or gynaecologist.
- A gynaecologist is a doctor who specialises in this area.
- Your GP or genetics service can refer you to a gynaecologist, if you have not seen one before.
- You can click here to see where your local genetics centre would be, so you know what to expect.
Before the operation
After the womb and cervix are removed
If the ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed at the same time
Many people have their womb removed for different medical reasons. You may have heard people talk about this operation as a 'full' or 'partial' hysterectomy.
A full hysterectomy means the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed. The cervix is usually removed at the same time.
Usually, a partial hysterectomy means only the womb is removed and the ovaries are left in place. This may or may not include fallopian tubes.