Currently, there is no effective method for the early detection of ovarian cancer.
According to Forskning.no, the disease is often discovered late because it does not produce clear symptoms in its early stages.
The protein CA-125 is sometimes used in blood tests, but it is not accurate enough for screening.
Its levels can also be elevated in completely normal conditions such as menstruation or pregnancy.
Also read: Psychologist reveals clear signs that you are emotionally mature
This means there is a risk of incorrect results when testing healthy individuals.
Therefore, new methods are needed, but they must be reliable before they can be widely used.
New technology
Researchers from ETH Zurich have published a study in the journal Advanced Science, in which they developed a menstrual pad with an integrated test strip.
The test can detect specific substances in menstrual blood that may indicate disease. In the experiment, the researchers used biomarkers such as CRP, CEA, and CA-125.
Also read: Researchers develop a new way to whiten teeth without damaging them
They tested the method by adding these substances to blood from healthy individuals. When the test strip changed color, it showed that the biomarkers could be measured.
Perspectives and reservations
Although the technology is new and promising, it is still at an early stage. Experts point out that the biomarkers are not precise enough to establish a diagnosis on their own.
The study is also limited because it is based only on samples from healthy individuals. Therefore, studies involving patients who actually have diseases are still needed.
Menstrual blood may contain important information about women’s health, which in the future could potentially be used as an early warning.
Also read: Allergy experts warn against opening windows between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Sources: Forskning.no, and Advanced Science.
Also read: New study: Tuberculosis among children fell by 83 percent