Women's Services Newsletter

Ovarian Cancer — Is there any early-stage test?

Researchers from Atairgin Technologies of Irvine, California, have developed a new blood test for the early detection of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer often goes undiagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage. Current tests are not practical in catching the disease at its early, most treatable stage. The new blood test detects elevated blood levels of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), which is found in high quantities in ovarian cancer patients. Early research shows this test may be a better indicator of early-stage ovarian cancer than the current test, CA125.

CA125 levels are not elevated in about half of all women with early-stage ovarian cancer. Researchers also note CA125 levels can be elevated in benign conditions such as endometriosis, fibroid tumors and pregnancy.

Early detection of ovarian cancer significantly improves a woman's chance of survival. Up to 90 percent of women diagnosed early survive beyond five years, while only 30 percent survive beyond five years when the cancer has spread beyond the ovaries.

Only your doctor or other healthcare provider can correctly diagnose this condition.

---

Back to: Top | Newsletter | Library | Women's Services