Prospective study of serum CA-125 levels as markers of ovarian cancer

Article Abstract:

Measuring levels of the tumor marker CA-125 does not appear to be a sensitive enough means of detecting ovarian cancer. CA-125 levels were monitored in 37 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer and in 73 healthy women who served as controls. CA-125 levels among the women with ovarian cancer did not vary significantly with the extent or duration of the disease. Sensitivity, which is the probability that a woman with ovarian cancer will be correctly identified, was only 24% using this technique. Specificity, which is the probability that a woman without ovarian cancer will be correctly identified, was 96%. Even if the specificity were 99% however, widespread screening would still result in too many false-positive results, raising health care costs and emotional anxiety among misdiagnosed women. Elevated levels of CA-125 were associated with a higher risk of ovarian cancer, but widespread screening using this procedure would cause up to 41% of women to be incorrectly classified as being at high risk for ovarian cancer.

Evaluation, Diagnosis, Measurement, Medical screening, Health screening, Tumor antigens, Tumor markers

---

Serum gonadotropins and steroid hormones and the development of ovarian cancer

Article Abstract:

An excess of male hormones in women may increase their risk of developing ovarian cancer. Researchers compared blood samples taken in 1974 from 31 women who subsequently developed ovarian cancer with those of 62 women who remained healthy (the control group). The women were among 20,305 residents of Washington County, MD, who contributed blood samples in 1974. The samples were tested for the female hormones luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estrone and estradiol and the male hormones androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The average blood level of male hormones was significantly higher in the women who developed ovarian cancer compared to the control group, and their average blood level of female hormones was significantly lower. Physicians should consider this possible effect of male hormones when prescribing hormone replacement therapy in women.

Health aspects, Risk factors, Gonadotropin, Gonadotropins, Steroid hormones

---

Controlled trial of the effect of length, incentives, and follow-up techniques on response to a mailed questionnaire

Article Abstract:

Researchers conducted a controlled trial of the effect of length, incentives, and follow-up techniques on response to a mailed questionnaire. They found out that monetary incentive did not improve the frequency of response, but a postcard reminder improved responses by 23%. The results revealed that it is important to search for new marketing principles to determine which techniques are effective in increasing response.

Research, Methods, Science, Scientific method, Health surveys

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: A prospective evaluation of plasma prostate-specific antigen for detection of prostatic cancer. A prospective evaluation of an angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism and the risk of ischemic heart disease
• Abstracts: Fetal fibronectin as a market to predict the onset of term labor and delivery. Fetal fibronectin as a selection criterion for induction of term labor
• Abstracts: Third stage of labor: analysis of duration and clinical practice. Changes in health care delivery: a threat to academic obstetrics
• Abstracts: Prenatal screening for group B Streptococcus: impact of antepartum screening and prophylaxis on neonatal care
• Abstracts: AMA guidelines address treatment of sexual assault. Physician concerns over E&M rules grow. Setting the record straight about the AMAP initiative

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.