Insidious cancer develops without symptoms: Turku invention can save lives – 2024-03-16 17:15:23

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer in women.

Ovarian cancer has a worse prognosis than other gynecological cancers because the disease is asymptomatic in its early stages. Due to the lack of symptoms, the disease can progress secretly.

More patients die from ovarian cancer than from other gynecological cancers combined, even though it accounts for less than 30 percent of all gynecological cancers.

According to the article from the Health Library, early detection and treatment of ovarian cancer improve the prognosis.

Turku-based health technology company Uniogen has developed a blood sample-based method that can speed up and facilitate the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, among other things.

With the help of the method, information about cancer could be obtained through a simple blood test, instead of waiting even months for a confirmed diagnosis.

It is likely that in the future, blood samples can be used more and more frequently for the early detection of cancer. INKA SOVERI

Speed ​​is the key

According to Uniogen’s press release, it would be possible to analyze the test result either in the central laboratory or immediately at the gynecologist’s office.

Based on the preliminary results, the test could also detect the recurrence of ovarian cancer two to six months earlier than the currently most commonly used monitoring method is capable of.

The ovarian cancer test is not yet in general use. Uniogen says it is gathering data to get the test approved for clinical use soon.

Spread ovarian cancer causes lower abdominal pain, bleeding disorders and swelling.

According to Duodecim magazine, 562 new ovarian cancers were diagnosed in Finland in 2020.

Uniogen has also started research work with colon cancer, bladder cancer and prostate cancer tests.