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Simple symptoms check list may aid early detection of ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer action welcomes a new study which suggests a simple symptoms check list may be the basis for a rapid, cost-effective screening tool to detect early stages of ovarian cancer. It is diagnosed in 7,000 women in the UK every year and is the biggest gynecological killer. Published in the January 15, 2007 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study reveals that early ovarian cancer may be distinguished from other causes by a specific set of symptoms and their frequency and duration.
Most women are not diagnosed until the disease has spread, consequently survival rates are low (only 30% of women will survive to five years). There is no current screening test to detect early stage disease in the general population or even high-risk groups and only recently symptoms have been shown to be present in both early and late stage disease.
Recent evidence led by Barbara Goff, M.D. of the University of Washington School of Medicine and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, compared the clinical history of women at high risk for developing ovarian cancer and women already diagnosed, to develop a basic symptoms list.
Researchers found "that a relatively simple evaluation of symptoms of recent onset and significant frequency” was sufficient to be a potential screening tool. Any complaint of pelvic/abdominal pain, increased abdominal size/bloating, or difficulty eating/feeling full that is present more than 12 days per month and for less than one year was 57 percent sensitive for early disease and 80 percent sensitive for advanced cancer; and 90 percent specific for women over 50 years of age and 86.7 percent for women under 50 years of age.
Ovarian cancer action's Chief Executive Annwen Jones comments, "we have always believed in the importance of women being aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer; not to worry them unnecessarily, but so that they know how to ask for specialist advice if they are concerned. The survey findings endorse this. We are years away from an effective screening tool in this country, and until there's a test, awareness is certainly best".
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP, broadcaster and spokesperson on women’s health for the Royal College of General Practitioners said, "of all the cancers that women have that I care for, ovarian cancer is the most distressing because it tends to be picked up so late…..any tool which can help health care professionals and women work together to detect ovarian cancer earlier when there is a real chance of a cure has to be welcomed."