A large majority of patients with ovarian carcinoma does not carry a BRCA1/2 mutation, nor another known mutation that increases the risk of ovarian carcinoma. Screening for early ovarian carcinoma in this low-risk group is not efficient. It is, however, a known fact the risk for ovarian carcinoma decreases slightly, but to a statistically significant extent, following sterilisation via tubal occlusion. It has recently become apparent that this risk declines further after complete removal of both fallopian tubes, because many cases of ovarian carcinoma start in or on the tubes. In many countries this knowledge has led to the recommendation to give preference to bilateral total salpingectomy in routine female sterilisation. Additionally, it is often thought advisable that women with completed families who will be undergoing an abdominal intervention should be given timely counselling about an opportunistic bilateral total salpingectomy, even if they are postmenopausal, so that they can make an informed choice. This intervention will probably reduce the risk of ovarian carcinoma by approximately 50%.