Prophylactic removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes has proven its value as a risk-reducing strategy for ovarian cancer as well as breast cancer (Kauff et al, 2002; Rebbeck et al, 2002; Finch et al, 2006) and should therefore be the cornerstone in the management of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, as long as no other effective screening tool is available. Here, BRCA1 is linked to breast cancer.