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Screening
Review national guidelines for cancer screening and prevention; this information is listed by gene mutation and by cancer type.

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Screening for , ovarian and primary peritoneal cancer

Experts do not recommend screening people at average risk for ovarian,  or primary peritoneal cancer if they have no symptoms. Even in high-risk people, screening for these cancers is not reliable and has not been shown to improve cancer outcomes. If you are at high risk for these cancers, it is important to discuss the benefits and limitations of ovarian cancer screening with your doctor. 

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

If you have an increased risk, you should know the possible signs of ovarian cancer and report persistent symptoms to your doctor, including: 

  • Bloating 
  • Pelvic or abdominal pain 
  • Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly 
  • Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)

Types of screening

Screening for , ovarian and primary peritoneal cancer usually includes a combination of the following:

  • A pelvic exam is an internal vaginal exam by a health care provider to look and feel for abnormalities of the reproductive system. 
  • Transvaginal  involves an device inserted into the vagina, which uses sound waves to look for any abnormal changes in the ovary. 
  • CA125 is a protein in the blood that is sometimes elevated in women with ovarian cancer. The test is considered neither sensitive nor specific for finding ovarian cancers in high-risk women. 

Screening for average risk people

Experts do not recommend routine screening people at average risk of , primary peritoneal or ovarian cancer.

Find Experts
Find Experts

The following resources can help you locate an expert near you.

Finding gynecologists with expertise in cancer risk and treatment

Related experts

Some symptoms and conditions related to female reproduction may be managed by other experts. 

Fertility experts

  • The Oncofertility Consortium maintains a national database of healthcare providers with expertise in fertility preservation and treatment of people who are diagnosed with cancer or have a high risk for cancer due to an .  
  • Livestrong has a listing of 450 sites that offer fertility preservation options for people diagnosed with cancer.
    Financial assistance may be available to make the cost of fertility preservation affordable for more patients. Patients are referred to those programs as needed.

Menopause experts

Sexual health experts

Other ways to find experts

  • The National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers deliver cutting-edge cancer care to patients in communities across the United States. Most centers have specialized screening and prevention centers for high-risk people. Find a center near you and learn about its specific research capabilities, programs, and initiatives.
  • Register for the FORCE Message Boards to get referrals from other members. Once you register, you can post on the Find a Specialist board to connect with other people who share your situation.

Open Clinical Trials
Open Clinical Trials

The following are studies looking at ovarian cancer screening or prevention.  ​​​​​

Additional clinical trials for ovarian cancer screening and prevention may be found here.

Last updated April 09, 2023