Early symptoms of ovarian cancer may go unnoticed, but people’s shopping habits can be used to spot the signs.
Loyalty card data may point to early warning signs that GPs often overlook, according to a new study.
The study looked at the purchasing habits of nearly 300 women and found that those who bought more medications for pain and indigestion were more likely to develop ovarian cancer later on.
The early warning signs of ovarian cancer can be difficult to spot because the symptoms can be mistaken for IBS. These include gas, bloating, and more frequent urination.
These are not uncommon symptoms, so people often begin using antacids and pain relievers to manage symptoms at home.
However, this change in shopping behavior can be detected up to eight months before diagnosis, the team from Imperial College London, University College London (UCL) and the University of Birmingham found.
“Knowing that early detection of ovarian cancer is key to improving survival rates, we hope that this research may lead to earlier detection of ovarian cancer symptoms and improve patients’ treatment options,” said lead author Dr. James Flanagan.
A widespread, deadly disease
Ovarian cancer affects about 7,400 women each year, and more than 4,000 die from the disease.
It is the sixth most common cancer in the UK, yet around one in five people with ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the emergency department, often when it is too late for treatment.
About 93% of people with ovarian cancer live five years or more when diagnosed at its earliest stage, compared to only 13% when diagnosed at the latest.
The study, published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, could help detect the disease early, which could mean the difference between life and death.
“Knowing that early detection of ovarian cancer is key to improving survival rates, we hope that this research may lead to earlier detection of ovarian cancer symptoms and improve patients’ treatment options,” said lead author Dr. James Flanagan.
“I lived on Gaviscon”
It took two years for doctors to diagnose Fiona Murphy with ovarian cancer. She decided to move the investigation forward so other people could get help faster.
“I lived on Gaviscon for 18 months before I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it took me everywhere because of severe acid reflux. If this had been associated with ovarian cancer, I would have had a faster diagnosis, had far fewer surgeries, and had better fertility options,” she said.
The study, funded by Cancer Research UK, looked at Boots and Tesco loyalty card data from 273 women over six years. Ovarian cancer was diagnosed in 153 of them.
The participants also provided information about risk factors for ovarian cancer, any complaints and GP visits.
On average, participants began to recognize their symptoms about four and a half months before diagnosis. The first visit to the GP was on average about three and a half months before the diagnosis.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer can affect anyone with ovaries. The risk increases with age, with more than half of all cases in the UK being aged 65 or over, but younger people should also be aware of the warning signs.
Here are some symptoms to watch out for:
- A swollen stomach or gas
- Pain or tenderness in your abdomen or pelvis
- No appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
- An urgent need to urinate or to urinate more often
- indigestion
- constipation or diarrhea
- backache
- Feeling tired all the time
- Lose weight without trying
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause.
The study authors said more research is needed, but they hope this latest finding “could lead to the future development of an alert system that would allow individuals to consult a doctor about the symptoms they are experiencing earlier than usual.”
Pay attention to the warning signs
Among the women who participated in the study, the purchase of pain and indigestion medications increased significantly in ovarian cancer patients up to eight months before diagnosis.
This “suggests that women may be treating them at home long before they realize their symptoms are alarming enough to see a GP,” said Dr. James Flanagan.
Researchers want to repeat this study with more shopping data and participants, but they think it could save lives.
Cancer Research UK funded the team to see if buying over-the-counter products could be used in a similar way for other types of cancer, such as stomach, liver and bladder cancers – all of which also often have non-specific symptoms.
DR David Crosby, Head of Research, Prevention and Early Detection at Cancer Research UK said: “Today, in the digital age, we live with a wealth of data at our disposal. Studies like this are a good example of how we can use this information for good and help us detect cancer earlier.
“It’s incredible to think that using loyalty cards most of us carry in our wallets, this innovative study could help women with ovarian cancer, which is often diagnosed late and mimics the symptoms of other more harmless conditions.”
Author: Sian Bradley
Source: Metro.co
Source link
I am a highly experienced and well-connected journalist, with a focus on healthcare news. I have worked for several major news outlets, and currently work as an author at 24 news recorder. My work has been featured in many prestigious publications, and I have a wide network of contacts in the healthcare industry. I am highly passionate about my work, and strive to provide accurate and timely information to my readers.