‘Ovarian cancer screening does not save lives’: UK trial

Using ultrasound and a blood test detects disease earlier but does not improve mortality, according to the biggest study yet

Ovarian cancer screening using transvaginal ultrasound with or without a blood test for tumour markers detects malignancy at an earlier stage but does not reduce mortality, a UK-based trial shows.

The “disappointing” results mean successful screening for ovarian cancer is still at least 10 years away, says UNSW Sydney’s vice-chancellor, Professor Ian Jacobs, a gynaecological oncologist who led the multicentre study for 13 years.