Ovarian Cancer Screening

Survival rates are also improving, thanks to new treatment options. However, there is currently no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer, which means that, by the time they are found — about 80% — of cases have already spread beyond the ovaries. The best way for women to protect themselves is to undergo an annual pelvic exam and to promptly report any symptoms they are experiencing to their doctors.

The American Cancer Society will not release ovarian cancer screening guidelines until scientists and researchers develop a reliable ovarian cancer screening test that can be used to detect the disease in women who aren’t experiencing symptoms of ovarian cancer. But that doesn’t mean there are no steps women can take to protect themselves. In addition to following prevention guidelines, women should have an annual pelvic exam for as long as they remain in good health and report any new symptoms to their physicians.

During a pelvic exam, your physician will feel your uterus and ovaries for size, shape and consistency. Some early-stage ovarian cancers can be felt during this exam, although most that are large enough to be felt by a physician have already spread. While it’s important to follow recommended screening guidelines for cervical cancer and get regular Pap tests, such tests do not detect ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer survival rates are directly related to the cancer’s stage at diagnosis. Cancers that are diagnosed as stage 1 or 2 have higher five-year survival rates than cancers diagnosed at later stages. It’s important for women to listen to their bodies and report any new or unusual symptoms to their physicians. While symptoms tend to increase as the cancer grows, even early-stage ovarian cancers can cause symptoms. However, many women brush them off, assuming they’re normal or attributable to another issue, such as menopause. Anyone with symptoms that don’t resolve after three weeks, should talk to their doctor. The following symptoms may signal ovarian cancer, although most women who experience these symptoms do not have ovarian cancer:

• Pelvic pain or pain in the abdomen
• Feeling bloated
• Feeling full quickly when eating
• Urinating frequently or having to go urgently

These symptoms can be caused by many gynecological and gastrointestinal conditions, and most people who experience these symptoms will not be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Still, it’s important to report them to your physician right away. The sooner ovarian cancer is diagnosed, the better your prognosis will be.

Researchers at Winship are studying the potential of blood-based tests to screen for ovarian and other cancers. Once developed, a blood test could be used to detect ovarian cancer in high-risk individuals at earlier stages.