title: The effectiveness of ovarian cancer screening. A decision analysis model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the effectiveness of ovarian cancer screening with CA 125 and transvaginal sonography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Decision analysis was used to examine the no-screen compared with the screen strategy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Estimates of cancer incidence, survival, and life expectancy were derived from population-based data and clinical series.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of 40-year-old women of all races and residing in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  A one-time screening intervention. The criterion standard for diagnosis of ovarian cancer was evaluation with exploratory laparotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Average years of life expectancy gained by women in the screened group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Screening for ovarian cancer with a combination of CA 125 and transvaginal sonography increases the average life expectancy in the population by less than 1 day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the limited effect on overall life expectancy, it is unlikely that mass screening for ovarian cancer with CA 125 and transvaginal sonography would be an effective health policy.
authors: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: Schapira
authors: D B
authors: DB
authors: Matchar
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Young
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003663:Decision Trees; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015996:Survival Rate; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate