[New opportunities for preventing ovarian carcinoma].

A large majority of patients with ovarian carcinoma does not carry a BRCA1/2 mutation, nor another known mutation that increases the risk of ovarian carcinoma. Screening for early ovarian carcinoma in this low-risk group is not efficient. It is, however, a known fact the risk for ovarian carcinoma decreases slightly, but to a statistically significant extent, following sterilisation via tubal occlusion.

Recent developments have made female permanent contraception an increasingly attractive option, and pregnant women in particular ought to be counselled about it.

Background: Despite the increased prevalence of reversible contraception, global unintended pregnancy rates are stable. Mistakes, method failures, side effects, alcohol, stock-outs, fears, costs, delays, myths, religious interference, doctors with other priorities, traditions and lack of health professionals may all factor in. Yet these unintended pregnancies - nearly a hundred million annually - cause much individual suffering, and in the long run, can aggravate conflicts, poverty, forced emigration and climate change.