Screening women for ovarian cancer still does more harm than good

摘要

When The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its ovarian cancer screening recommendation in April, it wasn't the first time trans-vaginal ultrasonography (TVU) and serum tumor marker cancer antigen CA-125 came up short as screening tools for asymptomatic women. The task force issued a grade D recommendation in 1996 and 2004 and reaffirmed its decision in 2008, citing "fair evidence" that ovarian cancer screening had little effect on reducing mortality rates while it increased the risk of harm.