General population screening for ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy, in large part because it presents with non-specific symptoms and is often diagnosed at a late stage. 58% of ovarian cancers are metastatic at diagnosis, with a 5-year relative survival of only 30%.1 However, the 5-year relative survival for localised ovarian cancer is 93%.1 This factor has spurred great efforts to develop a screening tool that could allow for earlier detection of ovarian cancer in women who are asymptomatic. The CA125 blood test and transvaginal ultrasound scan (TVS) have been the most promising screening tools to date.