Key Takeaways: Innovations in Cancer Screening
- New Diagnostic Tools: The Avantect Pancreatic Cancer Test is now privately accessible, designed to detect tumor-derived DNA or proteins in high-risk patients before symptoms emerge.
- Addressing Late Diagnosis: Currently, 70% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at late stages due to vague symptoms; these new tests aim to bridge the gap in early detection.
- Local Availability: High-risk individuals can access this specialized testing locally at the High-Risk Clinic within the Sydney Breast Clinic.
- Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: February is a critical month for the cause, with "Giving Day" scheduled for Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
- Fundraising Goal: Ovarian Cancer Australia aims to raise $550,000 on Giving Day to support those affected by the disease and fund further research.
In January, a new rollout of blood testing was made privately accessible to detect ovarian and pancreatic cancers.
The Avantect Pancreatic Cancer Test has the ability to detect early signs of pancreatic cancer in high-risk patients. The test identifies specific tumour-derived DNA or proteins in the blood, often before noticeable symptoms are present. Early performance indicators have seen this testing receive international recognition, and has been selected for evaluation in major studies such as PRECEDE and the Vanguard study.
Pancreatic cancer progresses subtly, often without notice, and early detection is almost never achieved. Once symptoms appear, the disease has already advanced, and survival rates drop drastically.
The same is true of ovarian cancer, where early symptoms often resemble other conditions such as endometriosis or menopause. Due to this, 70 per cent of patients receive a diagnosis in the later stages of the disease.
‘Surveillance of high-risk individuals is an important area of focus and innovation like this can bring us one step closer to early detection, but until clinical trials are complete, we recommend this test be used alongside standard screening advice,’ says Michelle Stewart, CEO of Pankind Pancreatic Cancer Australia.
Locally, this testing is available at the High-Risk Clinic at Sydney Breast Clinic.
This new rollout comes in time for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in February, where Australians are asked to wear teal and raise awareness for the underfunded, deadly disease.
Not-for-profit Ovarian Cancer Australia is hoping to raise for the cause, highlighted on the organisation’s annual Giving Day taking place on Wednesday the 18th of February.
The goal is to raise $550,000 on the day.
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