Ovarian cancer screening in average-risk women: which statement is accurate?

• A. CA-125 with transvaginal ultrasound reduces mortality
• B. There is a standard population screening program
• C. No standard population screening exists
• D. Vaccination reduces ovarian cancer risk

Answer: (C)

Screening for ovarian cancer in women without known risk factors is not recommended because no tested approach has been shown to lower death from the disease, and many screening methods cause harm. The combination commonly studied—CA-125 with transvaginal ultrasound—has not demonstrated a mortality benefit in large randomized trials. It leads to a high rate of false positives, which in turn result in unnecessary procedures, anxiety, and potential complications. Trials in average-risk populations have not proven that routine screening saves lives, even if some cancers are detected earlier.

There is also no vaccine available to prevent ovarian cancer, so vaccination cannot reduce risk. For average-risk women, there is no standard population screening program. If someone has higher risk (family history, genetic mutations), management differs and should be discussed with a clinician, but that still does not equate to routine population screening.