Dr Ed Pavlik talks to ecancer at the 2012 International Gynaecologic Cancer Society meeting in Vancouver about the importance and methods for ovarian cancer screening.

The early detection method, transvaginal ultrasound, allows for a diagnosis of 70 percent of stage one and two cases. Ovarian cancer has seven times less prevalence than breast cancer, but a 60 percent mortality rate if not detected in these early stages

The method of transvaginal ultrasound uses serial screenings to compare structures to a number index and morphology index that detects abnormalities and monitors them over time.

Dr Pavlik notes that most abnormalities resolve themselves, but this monitoring initiates immediate actions when required and prevents false positives.

Filming supported by Amgen