New Blood Test Shows Promise for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer
August 27, 2025
A groundbreaking blood test may revolutionize early detection of ovarian cancer, offering hope for thousands of women each year. Researchers say the test could improve outcomes and reduce treatment costs by identifying the disease at its earliest stages.
Developed by AOA Dx, the test detects two specific blood markers linked to ovarian cancer. It then uses advanced machine learning algorithms to identify complex patterns that human analysis might miss. The test can detect ovarian cancer even when symptoms like pelvic pain or bloating are subtle or absent.
High Accuracy Across Early and Late Stages
Ovarian cancer affects around 7,500 women annually in the UK, mostly those over 50. Traditionally, diagnosis relies on scans, blood tests, and sometimes biopsies—but late detection remains a major challenge.
Clinical trials using 832 patient samples showed the test could accurately detect ovarian cancer across all stages with up to 93% accuracy, and early-stage detection reached 88–91% accuracy depending on the sample set.
Alex Fisher, COO and co-founder of AOA Dx, said the test can identify the disease “at early stages and with greater accuracy than current tools.” Dr. Abigail McElhinny, chief science officer, added that the platform combines multiple biomarkers to detect ovarian cancer across sub-types and stages, offering a potential breakthrough for early diagnosis.
Experts Optimistic About Integration into Healthcare
Professor Emma Crosbie from the University of Manchester, an honorary consultant in gynecological oncology, said the platform “has the potential to significantly improve patient care and outcomes.” Researchers plan further trials to validate the test and explore its integration into existing healthcare systems like the NHS.
With early detection being critical to improving survival rates, this new blood test could mark a significant step forward in the fight against ovarian cancer.
