Women with inherited BRCA1/2 gene alterations are at high risk of ovarian cancer, so usually opt for surgery to remove their ovaries and tubes. Many women delay surgery to complete families or avoid premature menopause. This study confirmed previous research showing that a 4-monthly blood test can detect ovarian cancer at earlier stages, resulting in less complex surgery, a high chance of removing all visible cancer, and cost-savings to the UK health service. Surveillance should be viewed strictly as short-term, as it cannot prevent cancer, and delaying surgery could result in women being diagnosed with an incurable ovarian cancer. (By Sue Philpott, https://jmg.bmj.com/content/early/2022/10/10/jmg-2022-108741 )

the lead clinician on the trial Mr Adam Rosenthal