The American College of Preventive Medicine does not currently recommend routine pelvic exams for the detection of ovarian cancer (although pelvic examinations may be performed for diagnostic purposes) or the use of CA 125 or ultrasound to screen asymptomatic women. These same recommendations apply to women with either none or one first degree relative with ovarian cancer. Screening of women with familial cancer syndrome may be appropriate, due to their elevated risk of cancer, but direct evidence of effectiveness is lacking. Clinicians should therefore take a thorough family history regarding breast, ovarian, and other cancers, and women at high risk should be counseled about the benefits and risks of ovarian cancer screening. Until prospective, randomized clinical trials are completed, the American College of Preventive Medicine cannot recommend population-based screening apart from participation in clinical investigations.

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Routine screening for ovarian cancer by ultrasound, the measurement of serum tumor markers, or pelvic examination is not recommended. There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the screening of asymptomatic women at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.