Women's Health - First Blood Test for Ovarian Cancer Wins FDA Approval | Health News On Friday, September 11, the FDA announced their approval of the first laboratory test that, prior to exploratory surgery or biopsy, can indicate the likelihood of ovarian cancer, even if radiological tests fail to indicate malignancy. The announcement comes at a fitting time—during September—the month recently designated by President Obama as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
The test, called OVA1, was developed by California-based Vermillion Inc., in conjunction with their partner, Quest Diagnostics, and with researchers at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. OVA1 uses a blood sample to check levels of five proteins that change due to ovarian cancer, and then simplifies the results into a score between zero and 10, indicating whether the pelvic mass is benign or malignant. The test is intended only for women 18 and older who are already selected for surgery because of their pelvic mass. Interpreting the test result requires knowledge of whether the woman is pre- or post-menopausal.
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On Friday, September 11, the FDA announced their approval of the first laboratory test that, prior to exploratory surgery or biopsy, can indicate the likelihood of ovarian cancer, even if radiological tests fail to indicate malignancy. The announcement comes at a fitting time—during September—the month recently designated by President Obama as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
The test, called OVA1, was developed by California-based Vermillion Inc., in conjunction with their partner, Quest Diagnostics, and with researchers at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. OVA1 uses a blood sample to check levels of five proteins that change due to ovarian cancer, and then simplifies the results into a score between zero and 10, indicating whether the pelvic mass is benign or malignant. The test is intended only for women 18 and older who are already selected for surgery because of their pelvic mass. Interpreting the test result requires knowledge of whether the woman is pre- or post-menopausal.
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