Screening for ovarian cancer may increasese, according to a pilot feasibility study. The study randomised more than 20,000 postmenopausal women aged over 45 into a screening and a control group. Those screened were offered annual measurements of the cancer antigen, Ca125, and ovarian ultrasonography. The study found that screening identified 20 women with possible ovarian cancers, but only six were confirmed. During follow-up, 10 more cases of ovarian cancer were discovered in the screened group and 20 in the control group.

The median survival time of women with cancer was 73 months in the screened group and 42 months in the control group. The Bart's Hospital researchers said larger studies were needed to confirm the extent of the survival advantage.

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