Australian ovarian cancer experts have agreed that women should not undergo testing for ovarian cancer unless they are experiencing signs or symptoms of the disease.
A National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)* position statement published in the October edition of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, declares there is no evidence to support the use of any test, or combination of tests currently available, to screen women for ovarian cancer on an individual basis or through a population-based screening approach.
The position was agreed at a NBOCC* Expert Forum, which brought together key stakeholders in ovarian cancer across Australia. Each year in Australia about 1300 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. However, over 70 per cent of women are diagnosed when the disease is advanced and difficult to treat successfully. Only four out of ten women will survive five years beyond their diagnosis. Dr Helen Zorbas, CEO, NBOCC*, said with these statistics it is understandable that Australian women are seeking a screening test for ovarian cancer.
“We know that early detection of ovarian cancer is critical to reducing the number of lives lost to the disease. However, there is currently no evidence that any test, or a combination of tests, will help to reduce deaths from ovarian cancer in women who do not have any symptoms of the disease,” Dr Zorbas said.
Professor Jonathan Carter, Chairman of the Australian Society of Gynaecologic Oncologists and member of an expert panel involved in the development of the statement, said: “Testing for ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women can lead not only to false reassurance for women, but can also result in unnecessary and highly invasive procedures on the basis of a false positive.”
“We simply don’t have the evidence to recommend routine testing for ovarian cancer among women without any signs or symptoms of the disease,” said Professor Carter.
“However, if women experience any of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, and they are unusual and persistent, it is important to have these investigated,” said Dr Zorbas.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer include: abdominal bloating; abdominal or back pain; appetite loss or feeling full quickly; changes in toilet habits; unexplained weight loss or gain; indigestion or heartburn; and fatigue.
NBOCC’s* position statement, Population screening and early detection of ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women, has been endorsed by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Australian Society of Gynaecological Oncologists, Cancer Council Australia and the Screening Subcommittee of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology is published by Wiley-Blackwell.
National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre* is funded by the Australian Government and works with consumers, health professionals, cancer organisations, researchers and governments to improve care and cancer control in breast and ovarian cancer.