Tolerability of transvaginal ultrasonography as an ovarian cancer screening test.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the acceptability of transvaginal ultrasonography as a screening tool.


METHODS
Prospective survey of women attending for screening within a randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
University Hospital in Teesside.


METHODS
54 women completed a questionnaire immediately after their first transvaginal ultrasound scan.


RESULTS
52 of 54 (96%) questionnaires were suitable for full analysis. The women were unlikely to find the scan was painful, 47 vs three (p<0.001), or embarrassing 45 vs five (p<0.001). Women were more likely to find both a smear, 42 vs eight (p<0.001) and a mammogram, 47 vs two (p<0.001) was more uncomfortable than transvaginal ultrasonography.


CONCLUSIONS
Transvaginal ultrasonography is an acceptable tool for screening for ovarian cancer. It is better tolerated than other screening tools such as cervical smear and mammography.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of North Tees, Hardwick, Stockton on Tees, TS19 8PE, UK. fiona@drsmiller.freeserve.co.uk
F M
FM
Kew
V J
VJ
Ashton
D J
DJ
Cruickshank
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D014621:Vagina; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000523:psychology