[Cancer of the ovary and the hormonal context]

Screening for ovarian cancer can only be worthwhile if it is applied to a population at risk. Recent studies show that there is a significant lowering of the risk for cancer of the ovary after all contraceptive preparations containing oestrogens and progestogens have been used. The longer these preparations are used the greater the protection for the user and this protection continues for a long time after treatment has stopped. One finds, in truth, that if the ovary is put functionally at rest whether it is because ovulation has been stopped by pregnancy or by oral contraception or by a premature menopause, or late puberty, the ovaries are somewhat protected from cancer. On the other hand, women whose reproductive life is long without being interrupted as far as ovarian function is concerned, have a higher risk of developing cancer and, therefore, would be worthwhile screening. Furthermore, on the other hand the problems of stimulating the ovaries when treating for sterility must be considered in the relationship to the possibility of provoking cancer of the ovary. A better knowledge of the hormone status would make it easier to decide what cases should be screened for epithelial cancer of the ovary so that the prognosis can be less disastrous than it is.