Should All Women Get Screened For Ovarian Cancer? - Ana Sandoiu
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) examined a wide range of previous studies in an effort to establish if screening for ovarian cancer reduces mortality risk for women who are not at hereditary risk of the condition. The results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The USPSTF concluded with "moderate certainty" that there are more disadvantages and potential harms to ovarian cancer screening than there are benefits. Therefore, they do not advise average-risk women to undergo such a procedure. Stephanie V. Blank, professor of gynecologic oncology, obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of Women’s Health at Mount Sinai Chelsea Center said, “I agree that women who are not at increased genetic risk for ovarian cancer should not be offered ovarian cancer screening because we do not have an effective screening test.” She added, “However, if a woman has symptoms of ovarian cancer such as bloating, trouble eating, pelvic or abdominal pain, she should demand this testing.”
- Stephanie V. Blank, MD, Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director of Women's Health, Mount Sinai Chelsea Center
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