A new tool could be used to help GPs identify patients who may be at higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Ovatools combines a blood test which measures levels of cancer antigen 125 (CA125) – a protein often elevated in ovarian cancer cases – with a woman’s age to generate a risk score.
It is hoped the new tool, developed by researchers from Queen Mary University of London, will help GPs identify women with ovarian cancer at an earlier stage.
A recent audit into ovarian cancer care across England and Wales revealed that four in 10 women (41 per cent) were only diagnosed after their symptoms were so severe that they sought emergency care in hospital.
The National Ovarian Cancer Audit also highlighted how significant numbers of women with the disease are only diagnosed once their disease has spread to another part of the body – making it harder to treat.
In England, some 32 per cent of cases were diagnosed at this stage in 2022. While in Wales, some 24 per cent of cases were only diagnosed when the cancer was so advanced that it had spread elsewhere.
Two studies, published in the British Journal of Cancer and funded by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), assessed the use of the tool and the cost-effectiveness for the NHS.
The first, which drew on data from 340,000 women across England, concludes that the tool works well, especially for those over the age of 50.
The second suggests Ovatools would be cost-effective for NHS use.
At present, if a GP suspects ovarian cancer, then women can be offered the CA125 blood test, but they will only be referred for a scan if this protein is at a certain level.
Researchers argue that the risk of ovarian cancer varies with age as well as blood test levels.
Main symptoms of ovarian cancer
NHS
Symptoms of ovarian cancer include frequently having:
- a swollen tummy or feeling bloated
- pain or tenderness in your tummy or the area between the hips (pelvis)
- no appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
- an urgent need to pee or needing to pee more often
Other symptoms can include:
- indigestion
- constipation or diarrhoea
- back pain
- feeling tired all the time
- losing weight without trying
- bleeding from the vagina after the menopause
“CA125 is already widely used by GPs as a test in women with symptoms of possible ovarian cancer, such as persistent bloating or abdominal pain,” said Dr Garth Funston, clinical senior lecturer at Queen Mary and an author of the study.
“By combining a woman’s CA125 level and age, Ovatools gives us a better indication of a woman’s risk of having ovarian cancer.
“As a GP, I think these findings could be really helpful in selecting which women need urgent investigation and referral.”
Professor Danny McAuley, scientific director for NIHR Programmes, added: “This tool brings real power into the hands of GPs, giving them the ability to detect patients who are at a higher risk of ovarian cancer, and getting them the specialist help they need sooner.
“This is an important step forward in our quest to drive better outcomes for patients.”
Dr Sarah Cook, senior strategic evidence manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “Identifying when to refer patients with possible ovarian cancer for further assessment can be challenging.
“Risk stratification tools like Ovatools offer valuable support to GPs, helping guide clinical decisions and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
“While further research is needed to understand the impact in real-world settings, the emerging evidence is compelling – and it’s crucial that the NHS is prepared to adopt and implement these kinds of innovations.”
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