Home News New Hope to Women Co.. 24-02-2010 - 07:00New Hope to Women Concerned About Ovarian Cancer LONDON, February 24, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- A simple blood test that could help save lives by detecting ovarian
cancer at an earlier stage is available in the UK from 25 February 2010.
Called OvPlex(TM), the test is being welcomed by cancer specialists and
ovarian cancer charities as a superior performing diagnostic for the earlier
detection of ovarian cancer in symptomatic women.
OvPlex(TM) is being introduced into the UK by Intus Healthcare, having
secured distribution rights from the Australian ASX listed company that
developed the test, HealthLinx Ltd.
Spire Healthcare is supporting the UK launch, with women attending its
hospitals to have the blood test performed. Designed for symptomatic women or
those with a family history of ovarian cancer, the OvPlex(TM) test is ordered
directly from Intus Healthcare (http://www.ovplex.co.uk). A test wallet with
details of the local Spire hospital will be sent to the patient by post and
the results are then sent to the patient's GP to discuss with the patient.
Some 6,600 British women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year and
diagnosis often comes too late as only 40% of those diagnosed live beyond
five years[i].
Malcolm Padwick, specialist gynaecological surgeon at Spire Bushey
Hospital and lead gynaecological oncology surgeon for West Hertfordshire
Hospitals NHS Trust, explains: "Ovarian cancer is the most fatal
gynaecological cancer because women are often not diagnosed until the late
stage of the disease. To provide early stage diagnostic tests makes a real
difference to outcomes."
OvPlex(TM), launched Australia in 2008, is a superior alternative to
other available diagnostic tests, including CA125, and measures the increased
levels of five proteins in the blood. Results of a phase 2 biomarker study in
2008 reported 94% accuracy in diagnosing ovarian cancer, compared to 89% for
CA125 alone.
Nick Gatsios, MD of HealthLinx Ltd comments: "We are confident of the
benefits OvPlex(TM) offers symptomatic women as it is by far the most
effective diagnostic for the detection of ovarian cancer at all stages."
Louise Bayne, CEO of Ovacome, a charity dedicated to helping women and
families suffering from the disease comments: "OvPlex(TM) is an exciting
development offering hope for women seeking a better chance of either
alleviating their concerns or getting an early diagnosis. The trial data on
OvPlex(TM) indicates excellent potential."
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