Ovarian cancer is among the 5 most deadly cancers among women and is often referred to as “the silent killer,” since up to 70% cases aren’t diagnosed until stage 3 or 41Liberto, J. M., Chen, S., Shih, I., Wang, T., Wang, T., & Pisanic, T. R. (2022). Current and Emerging Methods for Ovarian Cancer Screening and Diagnostics : A Comprehensive Review. Cancers, 14(12), 2885. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14122885 . This cancer is characterized as the uncontrollable growth of cells primarily beginning in the ovaries or the fallopian tubes. Like with most cancers, early diagnosis improves survival rates, therefore it isn’t surprising that as a result of the late diagnosis, over half the women diagnosed with ovarian cancer die from it annually. Why does this occur though? In this article, Alcimed explores this by looking into the critical pain points of diagnosing ovarian cancer and potential solutions to improving its future earlier detection.
A primary diagnostic pain point is the ambiguity of early symptoms. Since the ovaries are in a similar region as other organs, when the tumor enlarges, the symptoms are often perceived as gastrointestinal issues due to pressure on the neighboring organs. It is often described as a constant dull pain in the lower abdomen. Other common symptoms include bloating, frequent urination, changes in bowel movement and indigestion. Despite the presence of the ovaries in the pelvis, many described experiencing pain and bloating in their upper abdomen when they present symptoms1Liberto, J. M., Chen, S., Shih, I., Wang, T., Wang, T., & Pisanic, T. R. (2022). Current and Emerging Methods for Ovarian Cancer Screening and Diagnostics : A Comprehensive Review. Cancers, 14(12), 2885. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14122885 . These symptoms increase the difficulty of catching ovarian cancer early on and are often mistaken for gastrointestinal, menstrual and other benign conditions. As a result, this is usually diagnosed at advanced stages of the cancer. Research even suggests that women typically receive their diagnosis after more than 6 months after first presenting their symptoms to a doctor which contributes to most diagnoses occurring only at an advanced stage.
Patient advocacy and awareness campaigns have been a proven way to overcome diagnostic challenges. Increasing awareness of the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer will help women advocate for themselves and become more mindful of their risk factors, like having a female family member who was diagnosed with breast cancer or a gynecological cancer.
Another major obstacle in the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is the limited awareness and diagnostic training among general practitioners (GPs) and frontline healthcare providers2Rampes, S., Bolina, A., & Choy, S. (2022). Early diagnosis of symptomatic ovarian cancer in primary care in the UK : opportunities and challenges. Cambridge Core. https://doi.org/10.1017/S146342362200041X. Given that ovarian cancer symptoms are often vague and mimic benign conditions, these symptoms are frequently dismissed or misattributed during initial consultations, particularly in primary care settings. Studies have shown that many physicians may not immediately consider ovarian cancer as a differential diagnosis, especially in younger or premenopausal women. Additionally, due to time constraints or insufficient familiarity with risk indicators such as genetic predisposition, the opportunity to flag high-risk patients early is often missed.
To address this challenge, healthcare systems must invest in targeted educational programs and diagnostic support tools for primary care physicians. Decision-support algorithms, symptom checklists, and structured referral pathways could help flag potential cases earlier. Enhanced integration of electronic health records (EHR) with predictive analytics could also prompt timely specialist referrals based on symptom patterns and patient history. Increasing provider awareness not only reduces diagnostic delays but also strengthens the frontline defence in the fight against late-stage ovarian cancer detection.
Despite advancements in oncology, there is still an absence of reliable screening tests for detecting ovarian cancer. Unlike breast or cervical cancer, which benefit from standardized screening tools like mammograms and Pap smears, ovarian cancer lacks an equivalent, widely accepted early detection method. The two most commonly used tools — serum CA-125 testing and transvaginal ultrasound — have notable limitations. CA-125 levels can be elevated due to benign conditions, especially in premenopausal women, while imaging techniques often miss early-stage disease, particularly when tumors originate in the fallopian tubes3Liberto, J. M., Chen, S., Shih, I., Wang, T., Wang, T., & Pisanic, T. R. (2022b). Current and Emerging Methods for Ovarian Cancer Screening and Diagnostics : A Comprehensive Review. Cancers, 14(12), 2885. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14122885.
For many women, the diagnostic process is also physically invasive. Surgical biopsies are often required to confirm malignancy, which involve tissue sampling and may not always be feasible depending on tumor location. These procedures carry risks of complications and emotional distress, and typically occur only after a prolonged diagnostic delay.
To address these limitations, a wave of companies is pioneering innovative biomarker and diagnostic technologies:
The development of more accurate, non-invasive, and scalable tests is critical to reducing diagnostic delays and improving outcomes. Pharma and MedTech stakeholders have a clear opportunity to drive innovation and accelerate adoption of these promising tools in routine gynaecological care.
The diagnosis of ovarian cancer faces significant hurdles due to vague symptoms, the lack of healthcare professionals’ awareness, and the lack of effective screening tests. These diagnostic gaps lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, affecting both patients and providers. There is a growing demand for minimally invasive diagnostics to reduce unnecessary surgeries, shorten time to diagnosis, and improve patient experiences— creating an urgent market need for innovation. Emerging innovations hold promise for transforming early detection strategies.
By embracing new technologies, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing patient-centred care, we can pave the way for improved outcomes in ovarian cancer care by reducing the diagnostic delay. While these innovations are promising, widespread adoption will also depend on regulatory approvals, cost-effectiveness, and integration into healthcare systems. As advancements continue, stakeholders in pharma, MedTech, and oncology must drive efforts to make early and accurate ovarian cancer diagnosis a global standard.
At Alcimed, we support healthcare stakeholders in identifying innovation opportunities, assessing market potential, and navigating the strategic, clinical, and operational challenges of implementing new diagnostic solutions. We can help you explore this uncharted territory and are looking to lead the way in transforming ovarian cancer diagnosis. Our team is ready to help you shape the future of women’s health. Don’t hesitate to contact our team!
About the authors,
Kelma, Consultant and Diane, Project Manager in Alcimed’s Life Sciences team in Germany
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