Examining Physician Practices Related to Ovarian Cancer

University of Washington: Health Promotion Research Center

Topics:
Cancer

Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. About 70% of women with ovarian cancer do not receive a diagnosis until the disease is in an advanced stage, but being able to detect symptoms associated with ovarian cancer early on and getting early treatment may improve a woman's chances of surviving the disease. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises against routine medical screening of women who are not at risk for ovarian cancer, but does recommend genetic testing and counseling for women at increased risk for the disease (e.g., women who have a family history of the ovarian cancer). Genetic testing may determine if a woman has an altered gene associated with ovarian cancer and establish a need for further medical screening.

Researchers at the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center, in collaboration with the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine, have launched a 2-year project to determine the extent to which physicians are informed about and practice these evidence-based guidelines. The project involves mailing surveys to 3,000 gynecologists, family doctors, and general practice physicians randomly selected across the United States, and analyzing the results. The surveys will provide information about physicians’ guidelines, policies, practices, beliefs, and attitudes related to ovarian cancer screening, referral, and management. The surveys will also increase researchers understanding of the factors that affect doctors' decisions related to screening for, treating, and managing ovarian cancer as well as detecting early symptoms.

The research team will work closely with their project partners, such as the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at CDC, the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, and the American Cancer Society, to ensure their findings are disseminated to state and local organizations. Disseminating findings through their partners as well as through presentations and summaries to governmental, professional, medical, and advocacy organizations will help increase both physicians' and women's knowledge about risk factors, genetic testing, and early symptoms related to ovarian cancer; and recommendations against screening for the disease as well.

 

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