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It remains uncertain whether detecting ovarian cancer by screening increases the chances of a woman surviving the disease.

For women at high risk, the current medical advice is to have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed after having completed their families, but many women delay or decide against having the surgery.

The UK FOCSS results, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, indicate that four monthly screening with the Risk of Ovarian Cancer Algorithm (ROCA) may be an option for these women until they decide to undergo surgery.

The algorithm is used to look for rising levels of a blood protein, CA 125, which can be elevated in ovarian cancer.

Over 4,000 women with a 1 in 10 or greater risk of developing ovarian cancer due to family history or a faulty gene, took part in the study after declining surgery. A significant proportion of these cancers occur before the age of 50 but many women are keen to delay surgery until they have completed their families or had a natural menopause.

Over the three years of screening and in the year after their last test, nineteen women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer although none had any symptoms. The screening was estimated to be able to pick up 9 out of every 10 cancers.

A further 18 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the five-year period that followed. Seventeen (94%) of these 18 women had advanced stage cancer (IIIB-IV) compared to seven (37%) of the 19 diagnosed during the screening phase.

The ROCA test is licensed to Abcodia Ltd, a ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº spin-out company. The lead researchers of this study hold shares in and/or consultancy roles with Abcodia.

Professor Ian Jacobs, UK FOCSS Principal Investigator (UNSW Sydney, Australia and ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº EGA Institute for Women's Health),Ìý said: "I am delighted that this phase of the 20 year UK FOCSS research effort suggests there is a role for ovarian cancer screening in women at high risk".

Dr Adam Rosenthal, Clinical Lead on the trial (¹û¶³Ó°Ôº EGA Institute for Women's Health) said: "The screening appears to be very effective at detecting ovarian cancer before it causes symptoms. The proportion of women who had all their tumours removed was very high, which is important in terms of predicting a better outcome."

Professor Usha Menon (¹û¶³Ó°Ôº EGA Institute for Women's Health) added: "TheseÌýresults suggest thatÌýforÌýwomenÌýat high riskÌýnot opting for surgery,Ìýfour monthly screening maybe aÌýbetter option thanÌýthe current NHS practice of symptom awareness and ad hoc annual screening."

UK FOCSS is a national multicentre study involving 42 NHS Trusts, supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network. It is led by ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº and funded by Cancer Research UK, the Health Departments of the UK and The Eve Appeal.

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Contact

Margaret-Anne Orgill Ìý ÌýTel:02031088515 Ìý Email: m.orgill@ucl.ac.uk