New blood test detects early signs of ovarian cancer before it develops

Researchers have identified a blood marker that could detect early signs of ovarian cancer before tumors form, according to a study published in the journal Nature Medicine. The discovery could enable earlier detection of the disease, potentially paving the way for preventative measures. Traditionally, early detection of ovarian cancer has focused on identifying small tumors in their initial stages, but this new research takes a different approach by targeting molecular changes that may occur before a tumor develops.

Lead author Rajan Gojna and his team at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute in California sought to determine if it was possible to detect molecular warning signals before cancer develops, rather than waiting for a tumor to appear. They identified elevated levels of a DNA molecule called To-Stroma in the blood of women with precancerous changes, specifically serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma in the fallopian tubes.

The blood test detected these lesions in 92.3% of women with the condition and correctly identified 98.2% of those without lesions. The test also showed strong potential for women with a high genetic risk of ovarian cancer, with 72% of positive results being accurate and negative results approaching 100% accuracy. Dr. Isha Madan, a co-author of the study, believes this discovery could change approaches to ovarian cancer prevention for high-risk women.

Currently, preventive surgeries rely heavily on genetic risk factors, but this new test could provide biological information to support more accurate decisions about preventive interventions.