She choose preventive surgery to increase the chances of staying cancer-free.

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However, the researchers do not suggest abandoning preventive surgery as an option for women whose genetic history strongly suggests they may be at risk from ovarian cancer.

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But preventive surgery isn't the only option.

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Emma says she has no regrets and would do the same again, even knowing that there could be the option of taking preventive drugs instead of having surgery.

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Abell said Ashcroft's surgery was performed as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of recurrent pancreatitis.

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Few were taking preventive measures, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, which, studies indicate, would have obviated surgery for up to half of them.

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