Despite Lack of Value, Many Providers Recommend Ovarian Cancer Screening

March 2012, Vol 3, No 2

Results of a new survey of primary care physicians (PCPs) show that 1 in 3 PCPs believe that ovarian cancer screening is safe and effective, contrary to current evidence. The survey was published in the February 7, 2012, issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. Substantial evidence suggests that such universal screening is unnecessary and may involve risks associated with surgeries and other procedures because of frequent false-positive test results, as well as the associated unnecessary costs of such testing. A total of 65% of providers indicated that they sometimes or often order ovarian screening test for women at medium-risk level, and 29% of physicians said they did so for women at low risk. "These findings are cause for concern, given that the risks of ovarian cancer screening outweigh the benefits," said lead investigator Laura-Mae Baldwin, University of Washington. NCI Cancer Bulletin, Vol 9, No 4; February 21, 2012.

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