Reported ovarian cancer screening among a population-based sample in Washington State

Objective: To assess the prevalence of reported ovarian cancer screening am ong a population-based sample of women from Washington state and identify f actors that influence the decision to be screened. Methods: A population-based sample of 6749 women aged 54-84 years, living i n 40 predominately rural communities in Washington state, was surveyed abou t their utilization of ultrasonography and CA 125 for ovarian cancer screen ing. We also assessed relevant demographic, family history, psychosocial, a nd health behavior variables. Results: After exclusions, data from 4938 respondents were available. Two p ercent (n = 96) reported having been screened. Multiple logistic regression identified ovarian cancer worry, contact with an obstetrician-gynecologist , and family history of ovarian cancer as independently associated with scr eening. Based on self-reported family histories, 27 women had pedigrees con sistent with high risk of ovarian cancer, but none of those women reported having been screened. Conclusion: Ovarian cancer screening is rare. Women at high risk of it migh t not be getting recommended screening. (Obstet Gynecol 2000;96:70-4. (C) 2 000 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.).