Scientists have created a revolutionary blood test capable of identifying ovarian cancer with more than 90 per cent precision, including cases in their earliest phases.
The diagnostic tool, developed by AOA Dx and validated through research at Manchester and Colorado universities, represents a potential game-changer for a disease that claims the lives of more than 4,000 British women each year.
The breakthrough examination involved 950 female participants across both research sites, using artificial intelligence to examine specific blood components, offering fresh optimism for the timely detection of a condition that frequently goes unnoticed until advanced stages.
The Manchester trial demonstrated 92 per cent accuracy in detecting cancer across all stages and 88 per cent for early-stage cases.
The trial demonstrated 92 per cent accuracy in detecting cancer across all stages
|GETTY
Colorado's results proved even more impressive, achieving 93 per cent accuracy overall and 91 per cent for initial-stage disease.
These findings mark a substantial improvement over existing blood-based diagnostic methods that have been utilised for several decades.
The research teams at both institutions focused on women experiencing initial symptoms, addressing a critical diagnostic challenge.
Currently, merely 20 per cent of ovarian cancer patients receive their diagnosis during the first or second stages of the illness.
The diagnostic method functions by analysing two distinct blood indicators - proteins and lipids - while employing machine learning technology to identify cancer signatures.
This addresses a fundamental challenge in ovarian cancer detection, as Manchester researchers noted that over 90 per cent of affected women experience early warning signs like bloating and stomach discomfort.
These symptoms frequently lead to misdiagnosis as they resemble numerous benign conditions.
The sophisticated analysis of blood markers through artificial intelligence enables the test to distinguish between ovarian cancer and other ailments that present similar symptoms, potentially transforming the diagnostic landscape for thousands of women annually.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Twenty per cent of ovarian cancer patients receive a diagnosis during the first or second stages
|GETTY
Professor Emma Crosbie from Manchester University, who serves as an honorary consultant in gynaecological oncology at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, stated the test demonstrated "significant promise for ovarian cancer early detection".
She added: "AOA Dx's platform has the potential to significantly improve patient care and outcomes for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer."
AOA Dx co-founder Alex Fisher commented: "These findings show its potential to aid clinicians in making faster, more informed decisions for women who need urgent clarity during a challenging diagnostic process."
The company plans to finalise the test design before pursuing regulatory authorisation globally in the years ahead.