Urine test for ovarian cancer hailed as holy grail for survival rates

♦ A simple urine test for ovarian cancer that could radically improve survival rates is on the horizon.

Scientists at the University of Hull have discovered a protein present in the tissue of women who have early stage ovarian cancer when there are no symptoms.

Often women do not realise they have the disease until it is too late. Many are diagnosed at stage three, when just one in five will survive for five years. But the new test could spot cancer as early as stage one, when there is a 90 per cent chance of survival.

Dr Barbara Guinn, head of biomedical sciences at the university, said they had shown it works in tissue samples, are conducting more tests and, if successful, hope to make it available within three years, to be alongside other regular health checks.

Dr Guinn told the British Science Festival in Hull: “It will help us confirm a diagnosis at the earliest stages. We’re very close.”

Annwen Jones, chief executive of Target Ovarian Cancer, said: “Early detection is the holy grail. The research shows extreme promise and we look forward to a future where more women are diagnosed at the earliest possible stage.”