Ovarian cancer screening in the high-risk population--the UK Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study (UKFOCSS).

摘要

It is well established that women at high risk of ovarian cancer (OC) by virtue of a known predisposing germ line mutation, or a strong family history of ovarian and other associated cancers (eg, breast cancer), should be offered risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO). This not only prevents OC developing but also reduces the risk of subsequent breast cancer when performed significantly before menopause. Premenopausal RRSO inevitably results in premature menopause and infertility. However, women who delay RRSO until after menopause to avoid these consequences risk developing OC before RRSO. Consequently, there is a need for a screening test, which safely allows delaying RRSO until after menopause. Unlike RRSO, screening cannot prevent OC, but it is hoped that screening might permit detection at a point in the disease's natural history where cure is still possible.