What if a simple blood test could help track your ovarian cancer more accurately? Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) holds promise as a tool for ovarian cancer management, from monitoring treatment response to detecting recurrence, but many questions remain. Join Dr. June Hou, a gynecologic oncologist and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center, to learn about ctDNA, its potential and limitations in ovarian cancer care, and what it could mean for you.
This is SHARE’s eleventh annual Joan Sommer Educational Program. Joan was a nurse diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer at the birth of her third child. She lived with ovarian cancer for 22 years. With her natural wry humor and intelligence, Joan and her family inspired and supported the SHARE community. The Sommer legacy continues.
Takeaways:
- ctDNA can offer a more personalized approach to monitor disease compared to imaging or other standard methods
- A simple blood test can now detect cancer activity earlier than scans or CA-125
- ctDNA is promising – but not ready for routine usage for everyone yet