Ovarian cancer blood test can detect disease early, study suggests

Scientists have developed a simple blood test to spot ovarian cancer early that could “significantly improve” outcomes for women with the disease.

More than 300,000 women, mostly over the age of 50, are diagnosed worldwide each year, according to the World Cancer Research Fund. Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed late, which makes treating the condition more difficult.

The test trialled by UK and US researchers looks for two different types of blood markers in those showing symptoms of the disease, which include pelvic pain and a bloated tummy. It then uses machine learning to recognise patterns that would be difficult for humans to detect.

Currently, the disease is usually diagnosed using a mix of scans and biopsies, such as an ultrasound scan, a CT scan, a needle biopsy, a laparoscopy or surgery to remove tissue or possibly the ovaries.

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Source: Guardian, Tuesday 26 August 2025