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trialsTrialNegative

UKCTOCS

The largest screening trial ever run for ovarian cancer found earlier detection but no reduction in deaths, so there is still no recommended screening.

Over 16 years of follow-up, multimodal screening shifted stage at diagnosis but did not significantly reduce ovarian and tubal cancer deaths (Lancet 2021). It is the central reason no guideline recommends population screening and why effort has moved to risk-reducing salpingectomy and multi-cancer blood tests.

Setting
Postmenopausal women aged 50-74: annual multimodal (CA-125 algorithm + ultrasound) or ultrasound screening vs no screening
Phase
Phase 3
Sponsor
UCL / MRC / CRUK
Registry
Headline result
No significant reduction in ovarian cancer mortality.
Reported
2021
Enrolled
202638

Outcomes

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In plain words
What these results mean for people, not percentages
202,638 people took part
Ovarian and tubal cancer mortality reduction (multimodal vs none)primarysurvival endpoint
  • 4 out of 100 people alive with Multimodal screening.
  • There was no comparison group, so this number cannot tell you how much of the effect is due to the treatment.
  • Overall survival counts deaths from any cause, so it is the most direct measure of whether a treatment helps people live longer.
  • These results apply to the people the trial enrolled: Postmenopausal women aged 50-74: annual multimodal (CA-125 algorithm + ultrasound) or ultrasound screening vs no screening. People in a different situation may not see the same effect.
  • relative reduction, not significant.

Numbers are from the trial as recorded here; see the source links in the table below. This is orientation, not medical advice: ask your team how closely the trial population matches you.

202,638 participants enrolled.

Ovarian and tubal cancer mortality reduction (multimodal vs none)primary
Multimodal screening4 of 100

relative reduction, not significant

Source
EndpointArmnValueHR (95% CI)pSource
Ovarian and tubal cancer mortality reduction (multimodal vs none)primaryMultimodal screening4%link

Connected

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