BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Recent clinical guidelines recommend against routine ovarian
cancer screening because incidence of ovarian cancer is low, there is no proof that
screening affects mortality rates, and screening tests have low positive predictive values
and high false-positive rates.

However, a recent survey has shown that physicians
continue to routinely screen women for ovarian cancer that leads to unnecessary and
expensive follow up tests or procedures.

Researchers surveyed 3,200 primary care physicians to see if they adhered to the
clinical guidelines for screening. They were given a survey with questions about
ovarian cancer and a woman’s annual examination. The survey showed that physicians
in a solo practice, with longer time in practice, and a personal history of cancer are more
likely to offer screening. Also physicians commonly offered screening and are more
likely to do so for women who have more of a risk of obtaining ovarian cancer.

SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine, February 2012