Loyalty card data could help identify ovarian cancer symptoms sooner

loyalty card - Loyalty card data on over-the-counter medicine purchases could help spot ovarian cancer cases earlier, finds a new study involving UCL researchers. The first-of-its kind study, published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance , found that pain and indigestion medication purchases were higher in women who were subsequently diagnosed with ovarian cancer, compared to women who did not have ovarian cancer. This change in purchases could be seen eight months before diagnosis. The study of almost 300 women also considered whether there is a link between diagnosis of ovarian cancer and a history of buying over-the-counter pain and indigestion medications, such as pain killers and digestive aids like antacids. Symptoms of ovarian cancer can be unclear in the early stages of the disease, which leads to some people buying medication from a local pharmacy to alleviate their symptoms, instead of visiting a GP - as they do not think their condition is serious. These early symptoms can include loss of appetite, stomach pain and bloating. Consequently, many people with ovarian cancer are diagnosed late, often when the cancer has already spread, and when their likelihood of survival has greatly reduced.