Home Family Practice USPSTF: Ovarian Cancer Screen to Be Avoided for Most Women

USPSTF: Ovarian Cancer Screen to Be Avoided for Most Women

Test isn’t accurate enough to justify its use, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says

WEDNESDAY, July 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The potential harms of ovarian cancer screening outweigh the benefits, so only very specific groups of women should be screened for the disease, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) says in a draft recommendation.

The new guidance reaffirms a 2012 final recommendation made by the Task Force. The USPSTF noted that no other major medical organization recommends screening for ovarian cancer among women in the general population.

“The task force found that screening women without signs or symptoms for ovarian cancer does not decrease the number of deaths from the disease, and may lead to unnecessary surgeries,” Task Force member Maureen Phipps, M.D., M.P.H., said in a USPSTF news release. “Therefore, the Task Force recommends against screening for ovarian cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms, and who are not at high risk for ovarian cancer.”

The draft recommendation statement and draft evidence review are posted for public comment on the Task Force website. Comments can be submitted from July 18 through Aug. 14.

Evidence Review
Draft Recommendation Statement
Comment on Recommendation Statement

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