Study challenges anecdotal evidence of diagnostic delay in ovarian cancer

However, delays in clinical diagnosis are more common for women with lower incomes, those living in remote areas, and those with abdominal or bowel symptoms.

Scientists from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, University of Queensland and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre studied 1,463 women with epithelial ovarian cancer from an Australia-wide population-based study who completed a telephone interview in which they described the events that led to the diagnosis of their cancer. 

Of the 1,318 women whose cancer was not diagnosed incidentally, about 42 per cent were either given a diagnosis or referred to a gynaecologist, gynaecological oncologist or oncologist as a result of their first medical consultation. This figure increased to 61 per cent when repeat visits to the same doctor were included.

Dr Susan Jordan, from the School of Population Health at the University of Queensland, said that, overall, 85 per cent of women visited three or fewer doctors before their cancer was diagnosed, 66 per cent of cancers were diagnosed within one month of the initial presentation, and 80 per cent were diagnosed within three months.

“Anecdotally, there is a perception that the journey from first presentation to diagnosis is often long and circuitous for women with ovarian cancer,” Dr Jordan said.

“To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe in detail the diagnostic pathways experienced by women with ovarian cancer in Australia.

“Our study provides reassurance that, despite anecdotal evidence to the contrary, most women with ovarian cancer in Australia are diagnosed promptly once they present to a medical practitioner.”

However, the study found that, for 12 per cent of the women, the diagnostic process took longer than six months.

Dr Jordan said this was more likely for women living in remote Australia, those with lower incomes, and those presenting with abdominal pain or bowel symptoms, or multiple symptoms.

“Further studies addressing these factors, especially lack of access to care, are warranted,” she said.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

The statements or opinions that are expressed in the MJA  reflect the views of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the AMA unless that is so stated.

CONTACT:            Sarah-Jane Matthews QIMR (Brisbane)        0427 364 695

                           sarah-jane.matthews@qimr.edu.au

                           Erin Sharp, NBOCC (Sydney)                      02 9357 9439 / 0458 900 777