2011-6/7 YEARLY OVARIAN CANCER SCREENING ASSOC. W/NO REDUCTION in DEATH & INCREASED FALSE POS. TESTS
Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women. Early screenings including blood tests and ultrasound are used to help detect the disease. A new major study finds these screenings given to women with no history or symptoms do not help detect the cancer any earlier or decrease the risk of dying. In addition, the tests may produce a higher number of false positive results causing unnecessary surgeries leading to other complications. Catherine Dolf has more in this week’s JAMA Report.