New Way to Detect Ovarian Cancer Developed

Posted by Radiation Clinic on February 22nd, 2016

Just over 21,000 American women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year. An estimated 14,000 women will die from the disease. Considered the fifth-leading cause of cancer deaths in women, this fatal disease can be successfully treated in some cases if it is caught early enough. The problem is, however, that ovarian cancer often presents with no symptoms in its earliest stages and detection has been problematic in the past. Enter a new early detection method developed in Austria.

Known as a “three-way” catheter, the device enables clinicians to use irrigation liquid to determine if ovarian tumor cells are present. While the catheter remains under study, the findings so far have been encouraging. The hope is to develop the method for widespread use to detect tumors in their earliest stages and enable faster, more effective intervention.

Researchers remain unclear on how long it might take to develop the test for general use. At present, most ovarian tumors are discovered in very late stages of the disease, which gives rise to the high mortality rate associated with this form of cancer.

As study continues to develop the screening procedure, women are encouraged to know their risk factors for ovarian cancer. This cancer most typically arises in older women and has been connected with obesity. Family history may also play a role in development.

Women of all ages should schedule annual checkup appointments with their healthcare providers to screen for such conditions as breast and cervical cancer. Manual checks of the ovaries are also conducted during these appointments.

Women who are concerned about ovarian cancer should speak with their healthcare providers to better understand their risks. This disease is difficult to detect at present, but that may one day soon change if researchers find the three-way catheter holds up to greater scrutiny.

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