A recent study published in the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer highlights the effectiveness of the UK’s approach to diagnosing high-grade serous ovarian cancer, the most prevalent and aggressive form of the disease.
The research demonstrates that the UK’s protocol for early detection of this cancer type is successful, not only in identifying the disease at earlier stages but also in enabling complete surgical removal even in advanced cases.
The study, led by the University of Birmingham, analyzed data from 1,741 women participating in the ROCkeTS study, conducted across 24 UK hospitals. These women were prioritized for treatment through a rapid access pathway triggered by symptoms.
The findings reveal that symptom-based testing can lead to early detection and effective treatment of high-grade serous ovarian cancer, challenging the belief that the disease is always in an advanced stage once symptoms appear.
Professor Sudha Sundar from the University of Birmingham emphasized that the study’s real-world data supports the effectiveness of symptom-triggered testing. It shows that women can be diagnosed with lower disease spread and achieve a higher rate of complete surgical removal.
This evidence underscores the need to enhance awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms and the importance of timely referral through the fast-track pathway to improve patient outcomes.
Among the 119 women diagnosed with high-grade serous ovarian cancer in the study, most had their cancer managed without significantly affecting their daily lives. The research showed that complete or near-complete removal of cancerous tissue was achieved in a majority of cases, with a small percentage deemed inoperable.
This indicates that early intervention through symptom-based testing can lead to better surgical outcomes and potentially higher survival rates.
The UK implemented the symptom-triggered testing strategy for ovarian cancer in 2011, targeting women over 50 with relevant symptoms. This protocol involves testing for CA125 protein levels and performing ultrasound scans, with abnormal results prompting a fast-track referral to a gynecologist.
Given that ovarian cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among women, the study’s findings reinforce the importance of early detection and the impact of the UK’s testing approach on improving survival rates for affected women.
