New Early Stage Ovarian Cancer Test: 99 Percent Accurate?

Gloria Gamat — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:16:46 +0000

A blood test that has enough sensitivity and specificity to detect early stage ovarian cancer (cancer of the ovary) with 99 percent accuracy has been developed by Yale School of Medicine researchers.

According to Gil Mor, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale:

“The ability to recognize almost 100 percent of new tumors will have a major impact on the high death rates of this cancer. We hope this test will become the standard of care for women having routine examinations.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer deaths in the United States and three times more lethal than breast cancer. It is usually not diagnosed until its advanced stages and has come to be known as the “silent killer.”

Ovarian cancer is deadly, folks. It is one of those that a woman at risk should be tested as early as possible — if tests are readily available.