If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may wonder why it wasn’t found sooner and why it was never picked up in a screening test. Screening tests look for some types of cancer in people who do not have any symptoms. They are sometimes called early detection tests. At present, there is no effective screening test for ovarian cancer.
The Cervical Screening Test (which has replaced the Pap test) looks for human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cases of cervical cancer but not ovarian cancer. Neither the Cervical Screening Test nor the Pap test can help find ovarian cancer.
Many people feel understandably shocked and upset when told they have ovarian cancer. If you need support, call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
Learn more about:
I went in to have minor surgery. Afterwards the doctor said, ‘I’m sorry, but it looks like ovarian cancer’. It certainly changed my life.
— Louisa
Listen to our podcasts on Making Treatment Decisions and Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
Video: Cancer and common diagnostic tests
A/Prof Sam Saidi, Senior Staff Specialist, Gynaecological Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; A/Prof Penny Blomfield, Gynaecological Oncologist, Hobart Women’s Specialists, and Chair, Australian Society of Gynaecologic Oncologists, TAS; Dr Robyn Cheuk, Senior Radiation Oncologist, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD; Kim Hobbs, Clinical Specialist Social Worker, Gynaecological Cancer, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Sonja Kingston, Consumer; Clinical A/Prof Judy Kirk, Head, Familial Cancer Service, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW; Prof Linda Mileshkin, Medical Oncologist and Clinical Researcher, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Deb Roffe, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Support Team, Ovarian Cancer Australia; Emily Stevens, Gynaecology Oncology Nurse Coordinator, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Dr Amy Vassallo, Fussell Family Foundation Research Fellow, Cancer Research Division, Cancer Council NSW; Merran Williams, Consumer.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
Featured resource
Click below to download a PDF booklet on this topic.
Additional resources
Need to talk?
Support services
Coping with cancer?
Ask a health professional or someone who’s been there, or find a support group or forum
Need legal and financial assistance?
Practical advice and support during and after treatment
Looking for transport, accommodation or home help?
Practical advice and support during and after treatment
Cancer information
Dealing with the diagnosis
Common reactions to a cancer diagnosis and how to find hope
Patient rights and responsibilities
What you can reasonably expect from your health care providers
View our publications
Guides and fact sheets for people with cancer, their families and friends