Ovarian cancer is one of the most «silent», and therefore very dangerous, since noticeable symptoms appear, as a rule, at rather late stages. The largest study in the UK has found a disturbing trend… -content/uploads/2023/03/7188253190dcd779c44aaba503c52611.jpg» />
Every year, around 225,000 cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed worldwide and about 140,000 deaths from this disease. It affects women of all ages from infancy, but ovarian cancer is most commonly diagnosed in older women. Despite advances in the diagnosis of this pathology, about 75% of cases are detected at late stages.
Health authorities hoped to improve these rates through annual screening of the disease among at-risk women. To assess the effectiveness of this measure, scientists at University College London (University College London) analyzed data from more than 200,000 postmenopausal women who participated in the study from 2001 to 2005. Half of the participants had an annual pelvic ultrasound examination, the other half had an annual blood test to detect the CA125 protein associated with cancer, and an ultrasound scan if the protein level changed.
The results showed that screening with a blood test detected 39% more cases of stage I/II ovarian cancer compared with ultrasound, while it did not lead to a decrease in mortality from this disease. According to scientists, this may be due to an aggressive form of ovarian cancer.
However, the study found that patients who had the disease during screening with a blood test did not respond as well to standard therapy compared with women diagnosed with a tumor based on symptoms.
«Our study showed that screening is ineffective for women who do not have any symptoms of ovarian cancer. In symptomatic patients, early diagnosis combined with good treatment can still make a difference in quality of life and possibly improve prognosis. In addition, receiving a diagnosis, regardless of stage, is very important for women and their families, ”The Guardian quotes lead author of the study, Professor Mahesh Parmar.