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Major Breakthrough in Early Screening for Ovarian Cancer

This month, a major breakthrough in the earlier diagnosis of women with ovarian cancer has become available in the UK.
Health - 24 March 2010   Download IconContent available for download:  
Audio | Interview with Dr Amrit Takhar and Martin Heller, MD of Intus Healthcare, the healthcare company licensed to distribute this early screening test in the UK| Login to Download

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  News Hooks:

Latest research reveals that over 6,800 women in the UK are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year with 4,300 deaths. It is the most fatal gynaecological cancer with 70% of diagnosed women dying within five years. If diagnosed in its early stages 90% of women survive for at least five years, whereas survival rates for later stages are as low as 30%.

There is currently no proven screening programme and 90% of women who develop ovarian cancer have no family history, so are unaware of symptoms and risks. Only one in six women are aware of the disease at all and of those who are, 66% of women were unable to cite any of the symptoms, which can individually appear to be relatively minor and are often easily ignored.

This month, a major breakthrough in the earlier diagnosis of women with ovarian cancer became available in the UK. A simple five protein blood test with a 94% accuracy rate in women presenting with symptoms is hoped to revolutionise the outlook for women worried about ovarian cancer.

. Introduction:

Ovarian cancer is the most fatal gynaecological cancer and kills more than 4,300 women in the UK every year. If diagnosed early however, the survival rates improve dramatically. Only 10% of women have any family history of the disease and there is currently no proven screening programme. Unfortunately, symptoms of the disease are not always obvious and can be confused with other common ailments such as IBS, which is one of the reasons the disease is often diagnosed in later stages when the cancer has already spread. This month a major breakthrough in the earlier diagnosis of women with ovarian cancer became available in the UK and hopefully will save many lives.

So, what does this breakthrough mean for the future of ovarian cancer diagnostics?

Joining us in the studio is GP, Dr Amrit Takhar and Martin Heller, MD of Intus Healthcare.

. Suggested Questions:

What are the latest fatalities statistics from ovarian cancer in our area?

Why is early diagnosis so important with ovarian cancer?

Why do so few women know what symptoms are associated with ovarian cancer?

What is this new breakthrough in diagnostics and how does it work?

When should women think about using this test?

Where can we find out more information?