Early blood test for ovarian cancer

I found this interesting article at www.ObGynworld.com

>>>>Early ovarian cancer diagnosis on horizon
Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer has been notoriously difficult, but scientists from the National Cancer Institute now claim they have developed a blood test that can detect the malignancy with 100 percent accuracy.

The test uses high-resolution mass spectrometry to analyze the protein content of blood, and the presence of four specific patterns on the resulting spectra is supposed to characterize the disease. Indeed, in the present study, the authors discriminated between all cases and controls in a set of 250 clinical samples, with both 100 percent specificity and sensitivity.

"This is the first step of the rigorous validation necessary as we attempt to speed this technology to broad public benefit," Dr. Emanuel Petricoin, from the FDA, commented.<<<<

Let's hope this test is available soon!
Janie

Dear Jane,
Thanks for the link! I am really hoping that test will be available for my daughters and for myself, so that we can catch any beginnings of ovca or recurrences early! No one should be diagnosed at a late stage, like so many of us here on the board!

Hugs,

Twisted Sister
Ovarian cancer, stage 3c

Twisted,
You are SO right! It seems to me that 90% of women with ovarian are a 3c when their cancer is diagnosed. It would wonderful if we could get it down to a 1a!

Hugs,
Janie

Unfortunately it has been on the horizon for over two years now.
Last September at the OCNA conference we were told it would be available upon request in January 2004. Never happened.
I'm afraid they are turning me into a skeptic in this area.
Fox Chase, where I am treated is one of four ovarian cancer spore centers. They recently started their own patients with proteomics testing as they watched for recurrences. But the down fact is that you have to have completed chemo within the past three months!!! I can't understand why the trial is not more widely open.
To me the more women with a history of ovca that they use in the trial, the sooner it will be available to the public.
I keep trying to understand but........

oxox karenann