Project Leader

• Dr Andrew Stephens

Early tumour progression is accompanied by few symptoms, resulting in the almost universal diagnosis of advanced, metastatic disease in ovarian cancer patients. Early diagnosis is strongly associated with improved survival; thus, detection of ovarian cancer at an early stage is clinically desirable. Unlike other cancers (e.g. breast, cervical), however, there are no effective diagnostic tools for the early detection of ovarian tumours.

We have developed a new diagnostic test (the “Active Ratio Test”), and are currently trialling its use for early cancer detection in a high-risk patient cohort. Ultimately, the goal is to apply this test in population-based screening for all women.