Frequently Asked Questions

Will I benefit from study participation?

There is no guarantee that every woman who joins this study will directly benefit from participating. But here are some benefits you may get from being a part of the study:

• Your health, related to ovarian cancer, will be watched closely by members of the research team.
• If you do get ovarian cancer, the study may help find it early. However, there is no guarantee that the study will find ovarian cancer early.
• You may help other high-risk women in the future, by being part of a study looking at better ways to lower the risk of ovarian cancer and to find ovarian cancer early.
  

Are there any dangers to me from study participation?

• You may have some mild pain or bruising when investigators draw your blood.
• You may feel nervous waiting for your test results.
• Women who choose surgery will face the usual risks of general anesthesia, wound infection, and recovery time. The specific risks will depend upon which surgical procedure is used.
• Women who have their ovaries removed are permanently infertile; they can no longer have children. Patients will not join this part of the study unless they have completed childbearing.
• Women who have their ovaries removed before natural menopause has occurred will become menopausal at an earlier-than-usual age. Early menopause may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke) and bone loss/fracture due to osteoporosis.

Is my study information kept private?

Yes. All of your information obtained for the study will be kept private. Every effort will be made to protect your confidentiality. The information collected as part of this study is protected by a Certificate of Confidentiality granted to the study researchers by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. All study personnel have been trained to handle the sensitive information obtained from study participants in the manner required by Federal regulations. All information will be kept in a coded manner, in locked or password-protected files, and access to these files will be strictly limited to study personnel who must use the information. We will not release any of the information that you have provided to us without your written consent.

May I quit the study after I join?

Yes. Choosing to be a part of this study is your decision. You may also decide to leave the study at any time. This will not affect your medical care in any way.

Where can I get more information?

Please refer to the NCI Resources section of this Web site.