Ovarian Cancer Screening Guidance: Still No Change

The USPSTF continues to recommend against screening asymptomatic women not known to have hereditary cancer syndromes.

Sponsoring Organization: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

Target Population: Women's healthcare providers

Background and Objective

For the one in five ovarian tumors diagnosed as stage 1 disease, 5-year survival is 90%. However, most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages with poor prognosis, making this the fifth most common cause of cancer-related death in U.S. women. To update its 2012 guidelines, the USPSTF reviewed recent evidence on benefits and harms of screening for ovarian cancer in average-risk women (Lancet 2016; 387:945 and Gynecol Oncol 2016; 143:270).

Key Recommendations

Ovarian cancer screening is not recommended in average-risk women.
Screening (including transvaginal ultrasound, serum assessment for the tumor marker C…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health