Ovarian cancer kills around 4,500 British women annually and is commonly called the ‘silent killer’ because of the fact that by the time it is detected it is usually in the terminal stages with a poor prognosis for the patient.
Approximately 1 in 70 women will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime, however this risk increases greatly if there is a family history of ovarian and breast cancer or indeed if there is a genetic predisposition to the disease.
Ovarian cancer has earned its reputation as the silent killer because its symptoms are easily confused with a range of other illnesses. Symptoms can include vague but persistent gastric upsets such as flatus, nausea and indigestion, unexplained weight-loss or change in bowel habit, abdominal swelling and distention or difficulty with eating, but the majority of cases don’t show any symptoms until the disease is in its final stages. For this reason it has been an ongoing quest to find the ideal screening tests in order to detect the disease in its early curable stages.
Recent medical developments have led to the introduction of a series of tests which can detect ovarian cancer where there are no obvious signs or symptoms that a woman may have a problem. These tests include a pelvic examination, a blood test to look for a ‘tumour marker’ and an ultrasound scan of the pelvis. The tests are currently being evaluated in a multicentre trial known as UKCTOCS (UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening) .
Until the results of this trial are finalised, ovarian screening will not be routinely provided by the NHS. At HealthHarmonie we offer Ovarian Cancer Screening using a combination of a CA125 blood test and an ultrasound scan. The results of these investigations will indicate the current condition of your ovaries and will assist the consultant in identifying any abnormalities.
The CA125 blood test
CA125 is known as a tumour marker for certain types of ovarian cancer. A tumour marker is a chemical that is given off by cancer cells and circulates in the blood stream. Women with some types of ovarian cancer usually have a higher level of CA125 in their blood than women who do not have ovarian cancer. This blood test is not an adequate screening test on its own hence the need to combine it with an ultrasound scan of your ovaries.
Ultrasound Scan
Pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound scans are performed by our our female specialists to check whether:
- The ovaries are the right size
- The ovaries appear normal in texture
- There are cysts in the ovaries
- Cysts may contain cancerous cells but most cysts are not cancerous
The scan is performed in two parts:
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Part One - is an ultrasound probe over your abdomen, you will need to have a full bladder, if you are travelling a distance to the centre we ask that you arrive 20 minutes before your appointment so that you can drink plenty of water before the scan
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Part Two - is performed transvaginally by inserting an ultrasound probe into the vagina, this gives a better picture of the ovaries than if the scan is done over the lower abdomen. The probe is covered with a condom and gel, the test is usually painless, although some women may have mild discomfort from the pressure of the probe. Only a small part of the probe is placed into the vagina
Taken together, the blood test and the ultrasound scan will enable the consultant to detect abnormalities, as with any tests of this nature we have to tell you that we do not guarantee that the tests will identify every case of early ovarian cancer.
Following your consultation you will receive a written report. We will also ask if you would like a copy of the report sent to your NHS healthcare provider, for example your GP.
For fees please see our Fee’s section on the left.
Please note that you do not need a GP referral.
Call 0121 454 7779 for further information or to make an appointment
Latest news from The British Medical Journal
Further information on ovarian cancer can be found at www.ovarian.org.uk
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Ovarian Cancer Screening