The idea that ovarian cancer might originate in the fallopian tubes emerged in 2001, when scientists in the Netherlands found precancerous changes inside the fallopian tubes of women with genetic risk factors for ovarian cancer. Aside from that, tube removal is most commonly recommended for women who already know they have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. That said, women without known genetic risk factors can also benefit from fallopian tube removal because there’s no standard screening test to catch ovarian cancer early. As the role of the fallopian tubes in ovarian cancer’s origins came into focus, research pointed to a potential solution: removing fallopian tubes during other abdominal or pelvic procedures. If you don’t have a family history of ovarian cancer, ask your surgeon about fallopian tube removal anytime you’re planning to undergo abdominal or pelvic surgery.