Introduction/Background Ovarian and breast cancers are neoplastic diseases with a genetic background. According to NCCN recommendations, risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy and mastectomy are procedures in primary prevention of these cancers in the case of a BRCA mutation.

The aim of the study was to analyze knowledge of medical students and their opinion about these prophylactic procedures.

Methodology A cross-sectional questionnaire consisting of 43 questions was completed by 200 medical students from Polish universities with mean age of 22.48±2.37 (range 19–34) years in every year of the study. The analyzed population was divided into two groups: 146 students with familiar background of neoplastic disease with mean age of 22.45±2.41 (range 19–34) years (group 1) and 54 students with no cancer in their families with mean age of 22.48±2.18 (range 19–33) years (group 2). Statistical analysis was performed using the R program.

Results In the opinion of 66.4% of students of the first group and 64.8% of the second one, genetic examination is very important in daily clinical practice. Prophylactic surgery is the most significant in primary prevention for 35.6% and 33.3% of groups 1 and 2, respectively (p<0.05). There is correlation between family history of neoplastic disease and encouraging patients to undergo prophylactic procedures in further medical life (p<0.05).

Female medical students would undergo risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in the case of presence of a BRCA mutation in 71.3% and 66.7% of both groups, respectively, and mastectomy in 57.4% and 52.8%, respectively. Male medical students would encourage their partners in the case of presence of a BRCA mutation to undergo risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in 51.6% and 38.9%, respectively, and mastectomy in 48.4% and 44.4%, respectively.

Conclusion Family history of neoplastic disease has an impact on knowledge and decisions about prophylactic surgery. Female medical students consider prophylactic procedures as a primary prevention of ovarian and breast cancer.

Disclosures The authors declare no conflict of interest.