UK Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study (UK FOCSS)

Clinical Lead: Dr Adam Rosenthal

More than 4,000 women die from ovarian cancer in the UK each year.  The disease is commonly diagnosed at a late stage when prognosis is poor.

Up to 10% of ovarian cancers can be attributed to an inherited genetic predisposition.  Women at high risk of developing the disease can be identified from their family history of cancer, where certain types of cancers are seen in affected relatives (e.g. ovarian cancer, breast cancer).  Currently, the only prevention strategy available for these women is surgery to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes. However, many women are unwilling to undergo risk-reducing surgery.

The aim of this national trial is to find out whether screening tests can pick up ovarian cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful.

Women are recruited and screened at collaborating centres across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  Screening is managed centrally at the study coordinating centre.

Investigators

Professor Ian Jacobs  Chief Investigator

Professor Usha Menon  Co-Investigator

Dr James Mackay  Co-Investigator

Dr Steve Skates  Co-Investigator

Dr Adam Rosenthal  Co-Investigator