Preventive Surgery Benefits Women With Breast and Ovarian Cancer Genes

Every year, one million women around the world are diagnosed with breast cancer, and almost 200,000 others are told they have ovarian cancer. The decisions for treatment are more difficult when the women carry genetic mutations called BRCA1 and 2, mutations that could also increase a woman's risk for cervical, uterine, pancreatic and other cancers. A recent study shows that women who undergo preventive surgery reduce their risk for breast and ovarian cancers. VOA's Melinda Smith has the story.