The researchers found 90 percent of ovarian cancer cases using both steps and 75 percent cases using ultrasound alone each year.

Most of these cases were in early stages (either stage I or stage II phases), which meant the cancer has not spread far and can sometimes be cured.

"The initial findings of this long-term study are encouraging, particularly because almost half of the ovarian cancers detected were at an early stage (stage I), when survival rates can be as high as 90 percent," Peter Reynolds of British Ovarian Cancer Action said.

According to the reports, ovarian cancer, which is usually asymptomatic in its early stages, strikes 21,650 women annually in the U.S., killing 15,520 a year; in Britain it affects about 7,000 women a year and kills more than 4,000.

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Editor:Yang Jie