No screening tests have proved to be effective at detecting ovarian cancer early enough to increase the survival rates. However, in some high-risk groups screening may be recommended. The screening tests are a transvaginal ultrasound and a serum CA-125. In premenopausal women both tests may be falsely positive (the result may be positive when there is no abnormality present). In postmenopausal women, the tests are more reliable. In this group, CA-125 over 35 is abnormal. Three large studies are evaluating the usefulness of screening for all women without symptoms.
