'No' To Ovarian Cancer Screening: Harm Outweigh Benefits - Liam Davenport
Women should not undergo screening for ovarian cancer if they do not have signs or symptoms of the disease, as it does not improve survival but may expose women unnecessarily to surgical complications. This is the final guidance from the US Preventive Services Task Force, published in JAMA. Stephanie V. Blank, MD, 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, who was not involved in developing the recommendations, agreed that there is a lack of effective tests for the disease. "In the general population, ovarian cancer is a relatively rare disease, and the specificity of our current tests is not acceptable," she said in a statement. "False positives in ovarian cancer screening can result in unindicated surgeries.
- 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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