Ovarian cancer is among the most difficult gynecologic cancers to detect and treat, with many cases diagnosed at an advanced stage due to vague symptoms. The disease ranks as the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, in part because signs such as bloating and abdominal pain are often mistaken for less serious conditions. As a result, more than 70% of diagnoses occur after the cancer has progressed, which limits treatment options and lowers survival rates.
Early detection is critical for improving outcomes. According to medical experts, women diagnosed at stage 1 have a five-year survival rate exceeding 90%. This underscores the importance of developing better screening tools.
At Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is part of UHealth – University of Miami Health System and Miller School of Medicine, programs are in place to address both patients with ovarian cancer and those at risk due to genetic factors. The center also provides access to clinical trials that may offer new approaches not widely available through standard care.
“We’re evolving the care for women with ovarian cancer through precision medicine, clinical research and genetic testing, and are doing so to help patients live longer and better,” says Matthew Schlumbrecht, M.D., M.P.H., professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences and co-lead of Sylvester’s Gynecologic Oncology Site Disease Group. “The challenge remains when it comes to detection, however.”
Dr. Schlumbrecht has participated in national clinical trials focused on detecting ovarian cancer earlier. In 2024, he co-authored a study reviewing two decades of research involving nearly 8,000 women; results indicated that a blood test could identify cancer in about 70% of those tested.
“The NROSS study shows that with a two-step screening approach — using CA125 followed by ultrasound — we can detect ovarian cancer earlier and with fewer unnecessary surgeries. This strategy could shift how we screen postmenopausal women, helping us catch cancer before it spreads and potentially improving survival rates. It’s a promising step toward more effective, less invasive screening in routine clinical care,” says Dr. Schlumbrecht.
A subsequent study has demonstrated that a new blood test—using lipidomics (the analysis of fats in blood), protein biomarkers, and machine learning algorithms—can improve early-stage detection accuracy even further from a single sample.
“This new test could be a game-changer, if approved for use with patients in the U.S.,” says Dr. Schlumbrecht. “However, the most effective thing right now for detection of ovarian cancer is for women to remain in tune with their bodies and up to date on yearly check-ups—don’t wait if something feels off; get it checked out.”
In addition to blood-based diagnostics, researchers are investigating nanotechnology as another tool for early identification. Recent scientific reviews have highlighted advancements such as nanoparticles and biosensors capable of detecting biomarkers at very low concentrations—even before symptoms arise. Nanoparticle-enhanced imaging can make tumors more visible during scans while biosensors allow detection from small samples like blood or urine; targeted drug delivery systems are also being developed for more precise treatment with fewer side effects.
“Nanotechnology is opening new frontiers in how we detect and treat ovarian cancer,” Dr. Schlumbrecht explains. “It’s not just about finding the disease earlier—it’s about doing so in a way that’s accessible, accurate and minimally invasive.”
Experts believe these developments could lead to routine use of blood tests for symptomatic women similar to how mammograms are used for breast screening today. However, further research and regulatory review will be necessary before these tools become standard practice.
“We’re entering a new era of ovarian cancer care,” says Dr. Schlumbrecht. “With tools that offer greater accuracy in diagnoses, we can offer women faster answers and better outcomes. It’s incredibly exciting.”
For now, specialists emphasize awareness: persistent symptoms should prompt consultation with healthcare providers who can assess risk factors including family history or genetic predisposition.
With ongoing investment into research and technology development—including innovations like blood tests using machine learning or nanotechnology-based diagnostics—the future holds promise for improved early detection methods that may ultimately save lives.
“The future of ovarian cancer detection is brighter than ever,” says Dr. Schlumbrecht.
