Ovarian Cancer Screening Study AStep Forward in Early Detection
BY DANIEL TOBIAS , MD
Wewant local women to know that they may be eligible to enroll in alandmark study at OverlookMedical Center , which uses asimple bloodtest for theCA-125protein to screenwomen whoare at low risk for ovarian cancer . Thepurpose of the clinical trial is to help determine whether this test can catch ovarian cancer early in women whowould not normally be screened for it . Overlook and other AtlanticHealth System hospitals are the only centersinthe New Jersey-NewYork area to participate in the study , and have thethird highestenrollmentnumbers in the nation .
Atlantic Health System signed on to the national earlydetectionstudy in 2011 . More than 1,200 womenhave enrolled in the study at Atlantic Health Systemhospitals .
Most ovarian cancer is detected too late , at stages 3or4 , with a75 % chance of recurrence aftertreatment . The CA-125 bloodtest is currentlyonly used in women who have hadovarian cancerorwho already showsymptoms . Ahigh CA-125 marker may indicate the need forfurther testing , however , by that time it is often already late-stage cancer .
Many women do notknow that ovarian cancer accounts for more deathsthan anyother gynecologic cancer . If caught early , however , ovarian cancer has a90 % five-year survival rate . Wewant to encourageall women — thoseatlow risk as well as those who may be at higher risk — toparticipate in this study , and speakwith their ob / gyn about whattypes of testingmight be appropriate forthem .
Studyparticipantshave their blooddrawn once ayear for at least three years , and answeraquestionnaire . Depending on theirlevelofCA-125 , morefrequent blood draws may be doneand / or an ultrasound test maybegiven .
Daniel Tobias , MD , is medical director of gynecological oncology and principal investigator for this study for Atlantic Health System .
Amongthe risk factors for ovariancancer are :
� afamilyhistory of breastorovariancancer ;
� having certain cancer-related genes ;
� apersonal history of breast cancerpriortoage 40
� AshkenaziJewishheritage and apersonal history of breast cancer prior to age 50 or afirst or seconddegree relative with ovarian cancer or breastcancer priortoage 50
Women interestedinthe CA-125 study may be eligible if they do not havehigh risk factors and meet other criteria . Study participants must also be post-menopausal and between theagesof50and 74 .
To jointhe CA-125 study , please call 973-971-6491 or email ovarian . screening @ atlantichealth . org .
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