CA-125 in Screening Patients at High Risk for Ovarian Cancer

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