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• • Commitment to care
    • Appointments
    • Emergencies
    • Home visits
    • Referrals
  • Doctors
    • Dr Tim Ladbrooke
    • Dr Jill Harling
    • Dr Kathrine O'Brien
    • Dr Richard Sibthorpe
  • Nurses
    • Ann Gissing
  • Health screening
    • - for women
    • - for men
  • Paediatrics
  • Well woman screens
  • Baby Steps
  • Travel clinic
  • Membership
    • Payment schemes
    • Registration
    
    Swineflu
    
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Fresh hope for ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women. There is no one screening test considered reliable enough to look for ovarian cancer in the general population. The two main tests used in screening are serum tumour marker CA125 and transvaginal ultrasound. Ovarian cancer is often detected at an advanced stage, which generally results in a poor prognosis and survival rate. Early detection is the key to improved survival among women with ovarian cancer.

CA125 is, to date, the best known test for ovarian cancer diagnosis. However, only about 85% of all women with ovarian cancer have raised CA125; only 50% of women with early stage ovarian cancer have raised CA125, and women with other, or benign conditions can also have raised CA125 levels.

New marker identified

A new marker HE4 has now been identified for ovarian carcinoma. When combined with CA125, HE4 significantly raises the level of sensitivity for the detection of ovarian cancer. HE4 is consistently expressed in patients with ovarian cancer and has demonstrated an increased sensitivity and specificity over that of CA125 alone.

There is mounting evidence that use of a dual test, utilising both CA125 and HE4, would be able to detect ovarian cancers at an earlier stage.

This combination blood test is now available at the Courtfield Medical Practice. We suggest that women with a family history of cancer and women over the age of 40 have this test. If you would like further information don’t hesitate to talk to Dr Jill Harling or Dr Kathrine O’Brien.

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Flu immunisation

This season's flu jab FLUARIX is now available at the Practice. It is recommended for all ages, especially the elderly and those with any chronic illness.

Flu immunisation gives excellent protection against flu and lasts for one year. You need a yearly immunisation to keep protected because the virus mutates and a new vaccine is needed every year. This latest vaccine is made from the strain of virus that is expected in the coming winter and also contains protection against swine flu.