According to Cancer Research UK around 7,000 women a year are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, making it the firth most common female cancer in the UK
Bolton, UK (PRWEB UK) 4 September 2013
Compared to many other strains of cancer, the rates of ovarian cancer misdiagnosis are notoriously high as it can be extremely difficult to diagnose in its early stages. In many cases, often by the time the cancer is recognised, it is too advanced for effective treatment (3).
In a new trial held by research scientists in America, out of the 4,051 women tested it was reported that the method used was able to identify those women who needed treatment. Although it gave promising results, a larger study is set to take place in 2015 in the UK to give confirmation on the actual effectiveness of the test (1).
Commenting on the new research, Suzanne Yates from Asons Medical Negligence Solicitors, who specialise in dealing with cases of misdiagnosed ovarian cancer said:
“After reading the report released by BBC I feel that the results presented have fantastic potential. As with all early research, there is never any certainty as to whether or not it will be entirely reliable, however from what we can see here there is hope in finding out a better to way to diagnose the disease. We deal with many cases of misdiagnosed ovarian cancer, so we know how traumatic it can be for women and their families when it is left to develop to a late stage. The treatment becomes ineffective and the survival rate is significantly lowered; however if these trials are successful, it could eliminate many deaths caused by ovarian cancer”.
According to the NHS, the symptoms that are often presented can be mistaken for other common, and less serious conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (2).
The test, that has been running for 11 years, operates by screening women for high levels of protein in the blood; a strong indicator of the presence of ovarian cancer known as CA125. This indicator alone is known to be too unreliable as a singular indicator, often giving false results (1). However, according to the BBC, these blood test results will then be used to sort people into priority groups from low to high risk patients. The low-risk patients are then scheduled to be tested again in a year, medium-risk patients after three months and high-risk patients will be sent for an ultrasound scan to look for any anomalies within the ovaries. From all the women tested, it has been reported that a total of ten women had surgical treatment based on the ultrasound scan for high risk patients, with the cancer being detected at an early stage (1).
Suzanne Yates continued to say:
“It is great to hear that of the women that received treatment, there were positive outcomes all round. It is important to remember that this trial has only examined a small number of people and it is still relatively early days, but it does hold hope for the future. Asons know only too well about the effects that ovarian cancer can have on someone, with our experience in dealing with cancer misdiagnosis claims. We know that it is already a difficult disease to diagnose, it can be made more traumatic when it has been misdiagnosed through the negligence of a doctor failing to investigate into the symptoms. If this clinical trial is a success, it could eliminate these issues, and give doctors a stronger way of making an accurate diagnosis”
According to Cancer Research UK around 7,000 women a year are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, making it the firth most common female cancer in the UK (2).
Suffering a cancer misdiagnosis can be a form a clinical negligence. Anyone that has faced unnecessary distress because a medical professional has failed to investigate symptoms may be entitled to make a claim for o varian cancer misdiagnosis compensation. To find out more information about misdiagnosis and the legal help you can receive visit http://www.asons.co.uk or phone 01204 521 133 to speak to a medical negligence solicitor.
(1) BBC News, Ovarian cancer screening 'has potential', 26/08/2013,
bbc.co.uk/news/health-23811705
(2) NHS Choices, Symptoms of ovarian cancer
nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-ovary/Pages/Symptoms.aspx
(3) NHS Choices, Introduction to ovarian cancer
nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-ovary/Pages/Introduction.aspx
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About Asons Solicitors:
Asons Solicitors is a Bolton-based law practice that specialises in personal injury and industrial disease claims. Founded by brothers Imran Akram and Kamran Akram, Asons Solicitors has developed to become a young and dynamic law firm that delivers practical solutions to clients in times of difficulty. Their continued focus on their staff has seen them awarded with the Investors in People “Gold Award”; which is reflected in the professional and personable approach they take in working with clients. They strive to grow and to develop, and their supportiveness and attention to detail ensures that their clients use them time and again.
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