Ovarian Cancer Screening in London

Ovarian cancer screening is a way of checking the health of your ovaries when you have no confirmed diagnosis, using a combination of tests to help assess your individual risk. Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women in the UK, yet its early symptoms can be vague and easy to overlook — which is why screening focuses on looking for early signs before they become more obvious.

At London Pregnancy Clinic, screening brings together a pelvic ultrasound scan, a CA125 blood test and a consultation with a consultant gynaecologist. The ultrasound examines the ovaries for changes such as cysts or masses, while the CA125 blood test measures a protein that can be raised in some ovarian conditions. Considered together with your symptoms and medical history, these build a rounded picture of your situation.

It is important to understand that this is a screening test for ovarian cancer, not a diagnostic test — it helps assess your risk and flag anything that may need a closer look, but it cannot confirm or rule out cancer on its own. The package forms part of the wider gynaecology services available at our London clinic.

Women in the high-risk group for ovarian cancer, including women taking fertility treatment, women experiencing early stage pelvic pain and women with a family history of cancer.

Please note, that this is a screening test rather than a test to diagnose ovarian cancer, you can read more about symptoms of ovarian cancer here:

https://www.ovacome.org.uk/screening-for-ovarian-cancer-booklet

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are often subtle and are far more likely to be caused by something less serious. The NHS highlights a group of symptoms that are worth noting if they are persistent, frequent or unusual for you:

• Pain or tenderness in your tummy or the area between your hips (your pelvis)
• A swollen tummy or a persistent feeling of bloating
• Feeling full quickly, or having little appetite
• Needing to pee more often or more urgently than usual

Other symptoms can include indigestion, changes in your bowel habits, back pain, tiredness and unexplained weight loss. These are common experiences and usually have an innocent cause, but the NHS advises seeing your GP if they do not go away, become more frequent, or feel out of the ordinary for you.

Screening is not a substitute for getting new or persistent symptoms checked. If you would like a specialist assessment, our gynaecology services include appointments with a consultant gynaecologist.

This package includes

• Full history taking and pelvic exam, including a gynaecology ultrasound scan
• A consultation with a consultant gynaecologist
• Blood pressure assessment
• CA125 blood test

You will receive your ultrasound report shortly after your appointment via our secure cloud system. Blood tests are performed in London by TDL, and results can take 1-3 days to complete.

Following the receipt of the results, we will arrange a 10-minute Zoom/telephone consultation to interpret the results and discuss the following actions.

We are also happy to send the results to your GP and arrange any further referrals as appropriate.

Your results are best understood as a whole, rather than as a single number. A raised CA125 can have many causes — Cancer Research UK notes that non-cancerous conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease and pregnancy can all raise the level — and equally, a CA125 test does not detect every ovarian cancer. That is why your result is always considered alongside your ultrasound findings, your symptoms and your medical history, and why your consultant gynaecologist talks everything through with you at your follow-up consultation.

It is also worth knowing that there is currently no national screening programme for ovarian cancer in the UK — a large UK trial did not find that screening the general population reduced deaths from the disease. Screening is therefore offered on an individual basis, is most relevant for women at higher risk, and does not replace staying aware of symptoms and seeing your GP promptly if they persist.

This information is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for guidance specific to your individual circumstances.

If the check-up results in any concerns regarding your health, we will arrange a referral letter explaining our finding and diagnosis to your GP. We are also able to refer you to a private hospital or specialist of your choice or recommend a trusted expert from our wide network of colleagues in the field.

If you have questions regarding treatment options, cancer support and quality of life, cancer research, or our screening tests – please get in touch with our expert team.