Mortality impact, risks, and benefits of general population screening for ovarian cancer: the UKCTOCS randomised controlled trial

Menon U, Gentry-Maharaj A, Burnell M, Ryan A, Kalsi JK, Singh N, Dawnay A, Fallowfield L, McGuire A, Campbell S, Skates SJ , Parmar M, Jacobs IJ
Record ID 32018004779
English
Authors' objectives: Ovarian and tubal cancers are lethal gynaecological cancers, with over 50% of the patients diagnosed at advanced stage. To assess comprehensively risks and benefits of ovarian cancer screening in the general population.
Authors' results and conclusions: Recruitment 1,243,282 women were invited and 205,090 attended for recruitment between April 2001 and September 2005. Population screening for ovarian and tubal cancer for average-risk women using these strategies should not be undertaken. Decreased incidence of Stage III/IV cancers during multimodal screening did not translate to mortality reduction. Researchers should be cautious about using early stage as a surrogate outcome in screening trials. Meanwhile the bioresource provides a unique opportunity to evaluate early cancer detection tests.
Authors' recommendations: Recruitment 1,243,282 women were invited and 205,090 attended for recruitment between April 2001 and September 2005. Population screening for ovarian and tubal cancer for average-risk women using these strategies should not be undertaken. Decreased incidence of Stage III/IV cancers during multimodal screening did not translate to mortality reduction. Researchers should be cautious about using early stage as a surrogate outcome in screening trials. Meanwhile the bioresource provides a unique opportunity to evaluate early cancer detection tests.
Authors' methods: Participants Postmenopausal average-risk women, aged 50–74, with intact ovaries and no previous ovarian or current non-ovarian cancer. One of two annual screening strategies: (1) multimodal screening (MMS) using a longitudinal CA125 algorithm with repeat CA125 testing and transvaginal scan (TVS) as second line test (2) ultrasound screening (USS) using TVS alone with repeat scan to confirm any abnormality. The control (C) group had no screening. Follow-up was through linkage to national registries, postal follow-up questionnaires and direct communication with trial centres and participants.
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/programmes/hta/164601#/
Year Published: 2023
URL for published report: https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/hta/published-articles/BHBR5832
URL for additional information: English
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Full HTA
Country: England, United Kingdom
DOI: 10.3310/BHBR5832
MeSH Terms
  • Ovarian Neoplasms
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Mass Screening
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial
  • Ultrasonography
Keywords
  • OVARIAN CANCER
  • OVARIAN EPITHELIAL CARCINOMA
  • OVARIAN NEOPLASMS
  • CANCER SCREENING
  • EARLY DETECTION OF CANCER
  • UKCTOCS
  • RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL
  • RCT
  • CA-125 ANTIGEN
  • TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASOUND
  • ULTRASONOGRAPHY
  • GENERAL POPULATION
Contact
Organisation Name: NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme
Contact Address: NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK
Contact Name: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Contact Email: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
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