Ovarian cancer: Major setback as screening trial fails to save lives

And two out of every three patients die within a decade of diagnosis.

A major trial to detect one of the most elusive and deadly cancers – ovarian cancer- has failed to save lives after two decades of work.

200 000 people

The researchers, at University College Londen, said that the results were a disappointment and thanked the 200 000 people who participated.

The trial had looked promising with annual blood tests detecting cases of ovarian cancer earlier but routine screening for the cancer is now a distant prospect.

Ovarian cancer is tricky to diagnose because the symptoms are easily mistaken for less serious health problems.

They include:

• Feeling bloated

• A swollen or painful stomach

• Quickly feeling full when eating

• Needing to urinate more frequently

The trial’s lead investigator said that, “Some women are diagnosed so late that they are too sick to start treatment. And two out of every three patients die within a decade of diagnosis.”

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