The fight against ovarian cancer is heightened with the launch of OvPlex, a diagnostic blood test for the early detection of ovarian cancer in symptomatic women by Innovations Exchange (INEX).
OvPlex is a revolutionary life saving blood test that is a substantial improvement over existing tests, which are only suitable in detecting the late stages of the disease.
Ovarian Cancer is now the most common gynaecological cancer in Singapore as 265 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and nearly 100 women die from the disease yearly .It is the most lethal of all gynaecological cancers as the symptoms often go unnoticed and the possibility of a cure in later stages are low.
These are some of the persistent symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:
- Abdominal swelling, pain and bloatedness
- Changes in menstruation
- Loss of appetite
- Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea
- Change in bladder habits
- Urinary Urgency
- Low back pain
- Lack of energy
With early detection more than 90% of affected women can survive beyond five years, which is a wide difference as compared to late detection which results in only 30 % of affected women surviving beyond five years.
Professor Mahesh Choolani, Non-Executive Chairman for INEX Pte Ltd, shares his take on OvPlex and the importance of the awareness of ovarian cancer with theAsianparent.
“ Detecting ovarian cancer in its early stages now with OvPlex, pretty much guarantees survival among affected women. We can now save lives in years. But one has to be aware of the importance of early detection and the impact it can create. The power of awareness can save lives by the thousands. For example, awareness itself managed to reduce maternal mortality by Ectopic pregnancy greatly. Doctors were made aware of this complication and its effects. They then made it a point to check their patients for this complication as part of a routine check up. This simple effort managed to save a great number of lives.”
“Though we have the test, awareness is best” (Professor Mahesh Choolani)
Singapore is the third country in the world to launch this cutting-edge test after Australia and the United Kingdom .The test is priced at $300 and will be available for doctors to administer at major hospitals and clinics island-wide by the end of the year.
For more information, please visit www.questlabs.com.sg or www.inex.sg
