Ovarian Cancer Study
About 16,000 women will die from ovarian cancer this year alone. And it ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women.
The problem lies in the lack of accurate screening tests to catch the cancer in its earliest stages.
As Eyewitness News health reporter Audrey Desrosiers tells us, Women and Infants is asking for help from local women to find a better and more accurate way to detect this silent killer.
Ovarian cancer can strike with no warning, and for a while- no symptoms.
Nurse donna boulmetis says the uncertainties are frightening.
"It can be growing in you without your knowledge and by the time you do develop symptoms you are at the more advanced stage where your rate of survival has been cut."
That's why Donna decided to participate in a study at Women and Infants Hospital.
The study is currently enrolling thousands of women nationwide.
Investigators are trying to determine if a blood test known as C-A 125, in conjunction with ultrasounds and other patient information, can help them detect early stage ovarian cancer.
Doctor Richard
Moore is heading up the study here at women and infants.
"Currently there is really no early detection programs out there that are very sensitive for finding ovarian cancer."
Currently the survival rate for a woman diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer is only 50-percent.
If a woman is diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, her survival rate is more than 90-percent. Unfortunately, only about a quarter of women are diagnosed while the disease is in its early stage.
These staggering facts are what led Donna and other women here in Rhode Island to participate in this study.
"I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for my participating in something that could somwhere down the line help a bunch of people. Maybe even myself, my daughter, my grandchildren."
Women and Infants Hospital is currently enrolling for this five-year study.
If you're interested in finding out if you qualify or just want to learn more about this study you can call 453-7520.
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