A screening protocol for ovarian cancer should have a
positive predictive value of at least 10% i.e. no more than nine healthy women
with false-positive screens would undergo unnecessary procedures for each case
of ovarian cancer detected.
Survival for ovarian cancer is much improved in early
stage disease. But, most ovarian cancers have spread beyond the ovary at the
time of diagnosis.
The strongest known risk factor for ovarian cancer is a
family history.
Cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) is raised in 50-90% of women
with early ovarian cancer but also can be elevated in numerous other
conditions. Serial measurements of CA 125 are important
Transvaginal ultrasonography as a sole screening
intervention is not recommended.
There is no recommendation to screen average-risk women
for ovarian cancer. One should NOT screen with CA 125 in the average-risk
woman.
An ovarian symptom index is considered positive in women
who report pelvic or abdominal pain, bloating, increased abdominal size,
difficulty eating, or early satiety occurring more than 12 times a month, with
symptoms present for less than one year.
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri Awardee
President Elect Confederation of
Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania
(CMAAO)
Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications
President Heart Care Foundation of
India
Past National President
IMA
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