Ovarian cancer screening practices of obstetricians and gynecologists in puerto rico.
BACKGROUND
Ovarian cancer is the most fatal malignancy of the female genital tract and is associated with high mortality. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend against screening for ovarian cancer in asymptomatic, average-risk women.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the ovarian cancer screening practices in asymptomatic, average-risk women among obstetricians and gynecologists (Ob/Gyn) in Puerto Rico. Methodology. From 2011 to 2012, self-administered anonymous questionnaires were mailed to all licensed obstetricians and gynecologists in PR.


RESULTS
Response rate was 25%. Overall, 53.9% were screening for the disease. Reported screening methods were CA-125 and transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS), 39.2%, TVUS only, 30.4%, and CA-125 only, 9.8%. In the logistic regression model, the odds that a given health practitioner routinely screened for ovarian cancer in the asymptomatic, average-risk population increased by 8% with every unit increase in his or her years in practice.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of the practicing Ob/Gyn in PR who participated are not following the guidelines established by the ACOG and the USPSTF for ovarian cancer screening.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, USA.
Gianni
0000-0002-3256-1916
G
Rodríguez-Ayala
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, USA.
Josefina
0000-0001-5403-9160
J
Romaguera
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, USA.
Mariel
0000-0003-3285-6156
M
López
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, USA ; Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, PR 00927-6346, USA.
Ana P
0000-0003-1017-9473
AP
Ortiz
D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000379:methods*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011647:Puerto Rico