Midlife Motivation

Published in a March 2010 edition of the Daily Mail by Dr Ellie Cannon

Nearly 7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cencer each year in the United Kingdom but now a new screening test has been developed which should help in the early detection of the disease.

Q How does the new screening test work?
A The new test measures a protein in the blood called HE4.  Very little HE4 is made by normal ovaries but ovarian cancer produces a lot, therefore high levels would indicate a high risk.  It has been shown that using HE4 along with the older test, known as CA125, can provide an accurate indicator of a woman having ovarian cancer.  The two blood tests are taken together to create an individual risk score.

Q What tests are currently available?
A There is no current screening programme for ovarian cancer but if there is concern about symptoms, the CA125 blood test is used.  There have been two problems with this; firstly, it is raised in only about half of early ovarian cancers, meaning the other half would not be picked up by this test.

Secondly, it is raised in other conditions, not just ovarian cencer, so it is not specific enough.  The new HE4 test seems specific to ovarian cancer.

Q Why is the screening test important?
A Ovarian cancer is often termed 'the silent killer' because symptoms tend to appear only when an advanced stage has been reached.  The disease therefore carries a poor prognosis and a high death rate. Screening will dramatically improve prognosis and chances of survival.

Q What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
A Very vague at the outset, with some mild discomfort in the abdomen.  Women commonly experience bloating of the tummy that does not reduce.  Sufferers also complain of pain in the lower abdomen or a feeling of pressure low in the pelvis, difficulty eating and feeling full too quickly.  Other symptoms include pain during intercourse, needing to pass water often and a change in appetite and bowel habits.

Q Does it run in families?
A It can do but the majority of cases are 'spontaneous'.  There are a small number of cases that are caused by a faulty gene which runs in families and is noted where two or more close relatives have had early-age breast cancer or ovarian cancer.

Q Is the new test available on the NHS?
A It is currently only available privately.

For further reading see a Macmillan cancer support item on Breast and Ovarian cancer risks on Related Links below.

There is also more indepth reading of ovarian screening on the BUPA site on Related Links below.

Tags: health