A UK-developed screening programme for ovarian cancer can successfully detect disease – and may save lives, researchers reported yesterday.
Results of a randomised control trial involving more than 200,000 women suggested the screening cut deaths from the disease by 20%.
The screening, developed at University College London, involves conducting an annual blood test on post-menopausal women for periods of seven years or more.
The test measures changes in levels of the CA125 protein.
Conducted over 14 years, the trial led to diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 1,282 women. About half of these – 649 women – had died from the disease by the end of last year when the trial ended.
During the trial several thousand women underwent surgery as a result of the test findings – and about a third of these were found to have cancer. About 3% of these women suffered major complications.
The researchers conclude that 15 deaths might be prevented for every 10,000 women taking part in screening.
The findings were reported in The Lancet today. They conclude that screening may reduce deaths by somewhere between 0% and 40% – with the study finding a 20% reduction.
Charities said the findings did not yet justify the introduction of a national screening programme.
Dr Fiona Reddington, from Cancer Research UK, said: “This trial has been incredibly useful in improving our understanding of ovarian cancer. Detecting it early is vital to make sure that patients have the best treatment options and that more women can survive the disease. It’s uncertain whether or not screening can reduce ovarian cancer deaths overall.
"While this is an important step in ovarian cancer research, we would not recommend a national screening programme at this point.”
Researcher Professor Usha Menon said the project had been "an immense research effort spanning 14 years, over 200,000 women and 700,000 annual screens. Finally we have data which suggests that screening may prevent ovarian cancer deaths.
"This is welcome news and provides fresh impetus for renewed efforts in this area.”
He added: "Our report on the mortality data from UKCTOCS is the first evidence from a randomised controlled trial that screening can reduce ovarian cancer deaths. The findings are of importance given the limited progress in treatment outcomes for ovarian cancer over the last 30 years."
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said the findings were "promising."
Vice-president Dr Clare McKenzie, a gynaecological oncologist, said: “This study is important in that the early detection of ovarian cancer, and hence early treatment, has the potential to save lives. However, longer follow up is needed to determine how effective the test is."
Jacobs, Menon et al. Ovarian cancer screening and mortality in the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS): a randomised controlled trial Lancet 18 December 2015 [Abstract]
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