OBJECTIVES: Primary * Determine the feasibility of prospective screening for ovarian cancer in high-risk patients. * Determine normal ranges and distributions of CA 125 within and between these patients (with subclassification by menopausal status, estrogen replacement therapy usage, and prophylactic oophorectomy). Secondary * Determine estimates of the specificity and positive predictive value of a risk of cancer algorithm suitable for designing a definitive trial of screening for ovarian cancer in these patients. OUTLINE: This is a multicenter, pilot study. Patients undergo blood collection and CA 125 levels are measured at baseline and then every 3 months for 1-2 years. Patients may be referred for an ovarian ultrasound if indicated by the CA 125 results. Patients are followed at 6 months and then annually thereafter. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 2,400 patients will be accrued for this study within 1 year.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * At high risk for developing ovarian cancer, as determined by meeting criteria for 1 of the following: * Family history of at least 2 ovarian or breast\* cancers among the patient and first- and second-degree relatives within the same lineage\*\* * If breast cancer\* is required to meet this criterion, at least 1 breast cancer\* must be premenopausal (diagnosed at age 50 or under if menopausal status unknown) NOTE: \*\*Multiple primary cancers in the same person satisfies this criterion * Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity and meets criteria for 1 of the following: * Prior breast cancer\* diagnosis * One first-degree or 2 second-degree relatives with breast\* or ovarian cancer * If breast cancer is required to meet this criterion, at least 1 breast cancer\* must be premenopausal (diagnosed at age 50 or under if menopausal status unknown) * Probability of BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation greater than 20%, as determined by BRCAPRO 95% posterior probability interval * This criterion includes the following situations for which BRCAPRO is not required: * Tested positive for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation (100% probability) * First- or second-degree relative with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation NOTE: \*Including ductal carcinoma in situ * No ovarian cancer, including low malignant potential cancers or primary papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 30 and over Performance status * Not specified Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * No hemophilia * No other bleeding disorders Hepatic * Not specified Renal * Not specified Pulmonary * No emphysema Other * Not pregnant * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No psychiatric or psychological condition that would preclude giving informed consent * No concurrent untreated malignancy except nonmelanoma skin cancer * No other medical condition that would preclude blood draws (e.g., chronic infectious disease) PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * More than 3 months since prior adjuvant chemotherapy for cancer Endocrine therapy * Concurrent adjuvant hormonal therapy (e.g., tamoxifen, leuprolide, or goserelin) allowed Radiotherapy * More than 3 months since prior adjuvant radiotherapy for cancer Surgery * More than 3 months since prior intraperitoneal surgery (laparoscopy or laparotomy) * Prior prophylactic oophorectomy allowed Other * More than 5 years since prior treatment (excluding hormonal therapy) for metastatic malignancy * No concurrent participation in other ovarian cancer early detection trials