Scientists have developed a new method for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
A group of doctors after a long experiment stated that ovarian cancer can be detected even before the first symptoms appear. In the study, which lasted more than 10 years, 46,000 women participated, who had already stopped menstrual flow. All the participants of the experiment were observed by physicians and conducted regular blood sampling. In the blood of women, doctors monitored the level of protein CA125, which has the property of constantly changing. But with the development of the tumor, this protein begins to be produced by malignant neoplasm in huge quantities (a blood test for the level of CA125 is already used to identify certain types of tumors).
After the participants of the experiment noted an increase in the level of CA-125, the woman went to an ultrasound and further examination. The method used by the British doctors allowed to diagnose malignant neoplasm in almost 90% of cases.
The group of British doctors has developed the most effective method of early diagnosis of ovarian cancer to date. The method is based on the analysis of the level of protein in the blood, which will make it possible to identify the disease at an early stage, long before the first signs.
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among all female cancers. According to statistics, more than half of women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer live no more than five years, as a rule, this is due to the fact that this disease is detected in the late stages and treatment in these cases is ineffective.
A team of specialists from the University of London can not yet say if their work will help to reduce the future level of mortality from ovarian cancer among women (the results of the study will be received only in the autumn). This research project has become the largest in the world in the field of cancer research, and its full end is expected in the second half of 2015.
Difficulties with the diagnosis of ovarian cancer are that the disease manifests itself as well as some other disorders (soreness in the lower abdomen, swelling, eating problems, etc.).
Cancerous ovarian lesions occur in postmenopausal women and are rarely detected before the age of 40. Experts suggest that ovarian cancer is associated with hormonal disorders: most often cancer occurs in nulliparous (infertile) women. In this case, taking oral contraceptives slightly reduces the risk of cancer, according to statistics in women who took such drugs before age 30 for five or more years, ovarian cancer is diagnosed twice less often.
The first sign of the disease is bloating, a feeling of overeating, pain in the pelvic region, a hurried urge to urinate. In addition, there may be frequent changes in weight (decrease or increase), persistent weakness, digestive disorders, frequent changes in the nature of the stool (diarrhea alternates with constipation). With the progression of the disease, pain in the lower back, soreness during the accumulation in the intestine of gases, anemia, the last degree of exhaustion of the body, swelling of the legs, cardiovascular or respiratory failure.
[