(August 22, 2017) The Journal of Clinical Oncology recently published a study about the unmet need of genetic testing in women with breast and ovarian cancer. Women who fit eligibility criteria from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) took surveys focusing on discussions about genetic testing with a health professional, being advised to have genetic testing done, and actually having genetic testing done. 0.4% of the over 47,000 women surveyed had a history of ovarian cancer. In that subgroup, 15.1% had discussed it with a professional, 13.1% were advised to have genetic testing done, and 10.5% were actually tested. The study concluded that fewer than one in five women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer, included in the NCCN criteria, have had genetic testing. The study’s authors estimate that 1.2 to 1.3 million women do not receive genetic testing and advocate for a national action to fulfill this need.
Related Topics

KVIA-TV ABC-7 Features OCRA-Funded Research Developing Nanotechnology for Ovarian Cancer Detection
KVIA-TV ABC-7 News El Paso recently spotlighted the groundbreaking work of OCRA-funded researcher Daniel Heller, PhD of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, whose research lab is working to develop a liquid biopsy that uses nanotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect ovarian cancer earlier. We’re developing a liquid biopsy that uses nano sensors and AI … Continued

Researchers Discover Potential Therapeutic Targets for Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Scientists have identified sixteen potential therapeutic targets in low-grade serous ovarian cancer by studying proteins at the molecular level, with results published on August 11, 2025, in the journal Cancer Cell. The research was led by Ernst Lengyel, MD, PhD of University of Chicago, along with Matthias Mann, PhD, of the Max Planck Institute of … Continued

OCRA Sponsors NCCN 2025 Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Patients
This article was updated in May 2025 to reflect NCCN’s release of the 2025 Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Patients. OCRA is a proud sponsor of 2025 Cervical Cancer Updates. We believe ensuring access to clear, understandable information is critical. NCCN provides wonderful guides for anyone newly diagnosed to help understand ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, or … Continued