A new blood test that can reportedly detect ovarian cancer at earlier, and possibly treatable stages is encouraging to some women and their doctors, but the FDA says the test has not been proven, says the New York Times.
According to the American Cancer Society “Almost half (45%) of women with ovarian cancer are still alive at least 5 years after diagnosis. Women younger than 65 have better 5-year survival rates than older women.
If ovarian cancer is found (and treated) before the cancer has spread outside the ovary, the 5-year survival rate is 92%. However, less than 20% of all ovarian cancers is found at this early stage.” (American Cancer Society)
And while OvaSure has been available since late June and developed by Yale, the FDA isn’t so sure that the test is effective. OvaSure wasn’t reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration as the agency historically has not regulated these types of tests developed by a single lab.
Also, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists almost immediately issued a statement saying it did not believe the test had been validated enough for routine use. (Source: New York Times)
What do you think? Should this test be available to women if they want to use it although it hasn’t been cleared through typical channels.
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