Discuss risks and benefits of ovarian ca screening.(Gynecology)

SAN DIEGO -- Women at increased risk for ovarian cancer who undergo screening for the disease could experience either a positive or negative impact on their quality of life, and physicians who suggest screening to these patients should discuss both possibilities with them, Dr. Noah Kauff advised.

"I am much more cognizant that screening is not something that should be approached cavalierly, but should include a detailed discussion of the risks and benefits," said Dr. Kauff, who conducted a prospective study showing that more women said screening was a negative rather than a positive experience.

The study included 147 women at increased risk for the disease, he said at the annual meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists.

A total of 60% of the women had a personal history of breast cancer, and only 5% had BRCA genetic mutations. "The majority of BRCA mutation carriers at our institution decide to undergo risk-reducing removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes," said Dr. Kauff, a gynecologist and clinical geneticist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Participants were screened with twice yearly pelvic exams, transvaginal ultrasounds, and CA 125 measurements. Quality of Life (QOL) assessments were done every 6 months using the Mental Component Summary score of Short ...