New ovarian cancer test that detects risk of disease to be rolled out
New test cuts chance of late-stage ovarian cancer
- University College London Hospitals (UCLH) is the first in England to implement a new ovarian cancer surveillance test, Roca, for women with an inherited risk of the disease.
- The Roca test is designed for women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, who face a significantly higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
- This blood test, taken every four months, calculates an individual's risk by tracking changes in CA 125 protein levels over time, even within normal ranges.
- It dramatically cuts the chance of being diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer, offering an alternative to immediate preventative surgery, which can lead to early menopause or prevent future childbearing.
- Professor Adam Rosenthal of UCLH expressed hope for a national programme to ensure all women with BRCA mutations can access this test, preventing a postcode lottery of care.