Study: Ovarian cancer often starts in fallopian tubes

New research shows nearly all fatal cases of ovarian cancer begin in the fallopian tubes, not the ovaries.

Removing the fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) can reduce the risk of developing the disease by nearly 80%.

Dr. Rebecca Stone of Johns Hopkins Medicine says the term 'ovarian cancer' is a misnomer, as most cases are cancers of the fallopian tubes.

Standard screening methods like blood tests and ultrasounds fail to detect these cancers early because they start as microscopic cells on the fimbriae.

Salpingectomy can be added as a five-minute procedure to common surgeries like hysterectomy or tubal ligation.