Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026
A Coregistered Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Imaging Protocol for the Transvaginal Imaging of Ovarian Lesions
Published on: March 3, 2023
Tolerability of transvaginal ultrasonography as an ovarian cancer screening test
F M Kew1, V J Ashton, D J Cruickshank
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of North Tees, Hardwick, Stockton on Tees, TS19 8PE, UK. fiona@drsmiller.freeserve.co.uk
Objective:
To evaluate the acceptability of transvaginal ultrasonography as a screening tool.
Design:
Prospective survey of women attending for screening within a randomised controlled trial.
Setting:
University Hospital in Teesside.
Participants And Methods:
54 women completed a questionnaire immediately after their first transvaginal ultrasound scan.
Results:
52 of 54 (96%) questionnaires were suitable for full analysis. The women were unlikely to find the scan was painful, 47 vs three (p<0.001), or embarrassing 45 vs five (p<0.001). Women were more likely to find both a smear, 42 vs eight (p<0.001) and a mammogram, 47 vs two (p<0.001) was more uncomfortable than transvaginal ultrasonography.
Conclusions:
Transvaginal ultrasonography is an acceptable tool for screening for ovarian cancer. It is better tolerated than other screening tools such as cervical smear and mammography.
