Is It Possible to Detect Ovarian Cancer Early?


How to detect ovarian cancer: There might be plenty of questions in your mind regarding the early detection of ovarian cancer.

Is It Possible to Detect Ovarian Cancer Early?

How to detect ovarian cancer: There might be plenty of questions in your mind regarding the early detection of ovarian cancer. Many a woman fear a lot about it because only around 20% of ovarian cancers are detected at an early stage and the majority are found in advanced stages. Though Pelvic examination and Pap smears are routinely done by gynaeconcologist as a part of the cervical cancer screening programs, they are rarely helpful for detecting ovarian cancers at an early stage. Now, the big question is – Do we have any screening tests or exams for the early detection of ovarian cancer?

THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION IS LITTLE BIT OBSCURE

So far, there is no specific screening test for the detection of ovarian cancer. However, in addition to the pelvic examination, transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and the CA-125 blood tests are commonly used.

Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) is useful to find any abnormal growth or mass in the ovary, but cannot exactly tell whether the mass is benign or cancerous.

CA-125 Blood Test: Women with ovarian cancer have high CA-125 protein levels. It is a useful tumour marker test to help guide the treatment of ovarian cancer. When the treatment goes well, its levels come down. Elevated levels of CA-125 are also caused by pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis. Owing to this reason it cannot be used as an ovarian cancer screening test. However, if a woman not known to have ovarian cancer has increased levels of CA-125, the gynaecologist may repeat the test and may order a transvaginal ultrasound.

 

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