A study published in 2011 found that screening women at average risk of ovarian cancer did not improve their odds of surviving ovarian cancer – and actually put them at greater risk due to complications from unnecessary surgeries. More than 78,000 women were randomized between normal care and screening arms. The screening protocol involved annual CA-125 testing for six years and a transvaginal ultrasound for four years. The study was designed to show the effect of screening on overall survival by following patients for 13 years. The study showed that more women were diagnosed in the screening arm, but more women died of ovarian cancer in the screening arm. Additionally, more than 3,000 women had surgery based on false positive results, leading to more than 160 women with serious complications. This study showed that screening with this protocol did not reduce ovarian cancer mortality. Learn more about CA-125.