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Updated: May 9, 2026

Tubal Cytology of the Fallopian Tube as a Promising Tool for Ovarian Cancer Early Detection
Published on: July 25, 2017
Tubal ligation in relation to menopausal symptoms and breast cancer risk
H B Nichols1, D D Baird, L A DeRoo
1Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, PO Box 12233, 111 TW Alexander Drive, MD A3-05, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. nicholshb@niehs.nih.gov
Background:
Local inflammation after tubal ligation may affect ovarian function and breast cancer risk.
Methods:
We analysed tubal ligation, menopausal characteristics, and breast cancer risk in the Sister Study cohort (N=50,884 women).
Results:
Tubal ligation was associated with hot flashes (hazard ratio (HR) 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.12) but not menopausal age (HR 0.99; 95% CI: 0.96-1.02). Tubal ligation did not have an impact on breast cancer overall (HR 0.95; 95% CI: 0.85-1.06), but had a suggested inverse relation with oestrogen receptor+/progesterone receptor+ invasive tumours (HR 0.84; 95% CI: 0.70-1.01), possibly because of subsequent hysterectomy/bilateral oophorectomy.
Conclusion:
Tubal ligation does not influence overall breast cancer risk.
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