Researchers discover new way that may diagnose ovarian cancer early

BOSTON - One day scientists may be able to diagnose ovarian cancer with a simple urine test.

Most cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the later stages of the disease when it is more likely to cause symptoms but is less treatable. 

However, a new experimental urine test could one day allow clinicians to diagnose ovarian cancer early on when there's a much better chance of cure.  

Turns out, patients with ovarian cancer shed thousands of small molecules called peptides in their urine.  

Now a team at Virginia Commonwealth University has been able to identify some of these molecules associated with ovarian cancer in urine using technology called nanospore sensing.  

While the urine test is still in its early stages of development, researchers hope in the future it could be used as an inexpensive and effective tool to screen for and diagnose ovarian cancer.

In:
• Health
• Cancer

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

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