One of my patients recently came in and told me that her sister had been
diagnosed as having ovarian cancer aged 32. She was told that her two
sisters also in their thirties should be screened by ultrasound as there is
a genetic link giving them a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Yes there is a genetic link but screening of course does not necessarily
follow
There is a useful Bandolier summary at:
http://www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/band16/b16-6.html
Well worth a read. I gave a copy to a patient in a similar situation some
time back.
More recently I have been asked to do yearly CA125 and u/s by a well
respected Obs/gynae consultant on a woman whose mother died of Ca ovary aged
32. The woman has seen a genetic counsellor who didn't recommend it (or
rather didnt mention it in his letter to said consultant).
I am not sure where to go from here as it would be easy for me to scan her
1. There is no evidence to support screening in asymptomatic women in the
general population for ovarian cancer.
2. Screening asymptomatic women with one affected relative should be
confined to recognised research studies
Mark O'Connor
GP Long Ashton
Bristol
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