Recent studies have shown that data about where and when people buy nonprescription medicines might be used to detect ovarian cancer at an earlier stage.
Link to Medication Purchase Data
Nearly 300 women participated in the study, according to Evening Standard. Apparently, an ovarian cancer diagnosis was associated with an increased purchase of pain and indigestion medications.
Based on the researchers involved, whose work appears in the journal JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, there was a shift in consumer behavior beginning eight months before a diagnosis was made.
A significant increase in the purchase of pain and indigestion medications was observed in the study among women with ovarian cancer at least eight months prior to diagnosis.
Dr. James Flanagan of the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial College London stated that the cancer symptoms to look for are relatively frequent, but for some women, they might be the first indicators of something more severe.
"Using shopping data, our study found a noticeable increase in purchases of pain and indigestion medications among women with ovarian cancer up to eight months before diagnosis, compared with women without ovarian cancer," Dr. Flanagan said. "This suggests that long before women have recognized their symptoms as alarming enough to go to the GP, they may be treating them at home."
It is hoped that this study may lead to earlier detection of ovarian cancer signs, which would increase the effectiveness of treatment choices for patients.
Cancer Cases
Loss of appetite, stomach pain, and bloating are common early symptoms of ovarian cancer, but they may not be immediately apparent.
For this reason, the study's authors say, it is not uncommon for women to treat their symptoms by purchasing medication at a drugstore rather than making an appointment with a primary care physician.
About 7,400 British women are diagnosed with it annually, and more than 4,000 people lose their lives annually.
Approximately 93% of women with ovarian cancer have a five-year survival rate or higher if diagnosed at the earliest stage, compared to only 13% if diagnosed at stage four.
Research Findings
The study, sponsored by Cancer Research UK, examined 283 women's loyalty card data. Ovarian cancer affected 153 of these people.
Participants completed a brief questionnaire on ovarian cancer risk factors, symptoms, and physician visits.
Ovarian cancer patients saw symptoms four-and-a-half months before diagnosis. Three-and-a-half months before diagnosis, doctor visits were made by those with symptoms.
The scientists stated further study is required to validate their results. Still, they are also examining whether over-the-counter medications may be used similarly for stomach, liver, and bladder tumors.
Dr. David Crosby, director of preventive and early detection research at Cancer Research UK, believes that while additional research with more patients is required, this study reveals intriguing promise for a novel technique to diagnose cancer sooner and save lives.
