Ovarian cancer: identifying and managing familial and genetic risk

Excerpt

This guideline covers assessing the familial and genetic risk of having a pathogenic variant associated with ovarian cancer in adults.

In women, trans men and non-binary people with female reproductive organs (ovaries, fallopian tubes and/or a uterus), having a pathogenic variant increases the risk of developing ovarian cancer (familial ovarian cancer). As well as risk assessment, this guideline covers risk management and decision-making support for people born with female reproductive organs who have, or are at risk of having, a pathogenic variant associated with ovarian cancer.

Men, trans women and non-binary people born with male reproductive organs cannot develop ovarian cancer, but if they have a pathogenic variant associated with ovarian cancer, they can pass the variant on to their children, and may be at risk of developing other cancers. This guideline covers risk assessment, but it does not cover managing risk or decision-making support for people born with male reproductive organs.

NICE has also produced a guideline on the recognition and initial management of ovarian cancer.

Who is it for?:

1. Healthcare professionals working in primary, secondary and tertiary care

2. Cancer alliances

3. Commissioners (including clinical commissioning groups and NHS England specialised commissioning)

4. Voluntary sector organisations

5. Adults (18 years and older) with a genetic risk of having a pathogenic variant associated with ovarian cancer, and their families and carers (where appropriate)