Pap smear: Can it detect ovarian cancer?

Can ovarian cancer be detected by a Pap smear?

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Mayo Clinic breast-health specialist Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

No. A Pap smear cannot detect ovarian cancer.

A Pap smear is a procedure that collects cells from your cervix. The test effectively detects not only cervical cancer, but also changes in your cervical cells that suggest cervical cancer may develop in the future.

Unfortunately, there is no standard or routine screening test for ovarian cancer. Researchers haven't yet found a screening tool that's sensitive enough to detect ovarian cancer in its early stages and specific enough to distinguish ovarian cancer from other, noncancerous conditions. Doctors don't recommend routine screening for women at average risk of ovarian cancer.

For high-risk women, experts don't agree on exactly what to do for screening, when to do it or if it should be done at all. If you're at high risk of ovarian cancer, discuss the risks and benefits of screening tests with your doctor.

Ongoing studies throughout the United States are specifically focused on screening for ovarian cancer.