Ovarian Cancer Screening identifies those women who are more at risk from cancer of the ovaries.

As this service is a screening it will not tell you if you actually have ovarian cancer, but will identify if you are at high risk of having the disease.

Only more costly diagnostic tests ordered by your Gynaecologist or an Oncologist (after a patient has screened positive) will confirm if you have ovarian cancer.

This scan is a thorough examination of the pelvic organs with special attention to the ovaries where we look for specific markers.

It is most commonly done if you have a family history of ovarian cancer.

You will likely be referred by your GP or Gynaecologist if you are showing syptoms of ovarian cancer.

According to the National Institute for Health Research ultrasound is the most effective way of screening for ovarian cancer. 

Blood Tests
To assist in the detection process the scan is combined with two blood tests. 

CA125 is presently the best known and most widely used test for ovarian cancer screening. However there are some limitations with this test that may produce false screening results:

• Women with benign gynaecological conditions such as endometriosis may falsely trigger a positive screening
• 20% of ovarian cancers are not detected by this test
• 40-50% of early ovarian cancers do not caused increased levels that would be detected by this test

Therefore in some cases the CA125 test may not always produce an accurate screening.

HE4 is a new ovarian cancer screening test when performed in combination with CA125 significantly raises the detection ratesof the disease.

When these two tests are combined the screening is known as ROMA (Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm) and patients are classified as being either high or low risk for the malignant disease.

By providing these new blood tests along with a meticulous ultrasound examination we are able to provide the most accurate method of screening for Ovarian Cancer that is currently available. 

This scan is usually performed by one of our highly qualified sonographers or you may aslo be seen by one of our consultant doctors if you wish.

Should you test screen positive you would need to consult your GP or Gynaecologist for ongoing clinical care.

For bookings information and cost please see our Prices page.