Ovarian Cancer Risk Screening
Advanced Diagnostic Protocol
Clinical Significance
Ovarian cancer is often called a "silent" condition because early symptoms — bloating, feeling full quickly, pelvic discomfort — are easily mistaken for everyday complaints. Around 7,500 women are diagnosed in the UK each year. Our Ovarian Cancer Risk Screening measures CA-125 and HE4, two blood markers associated with ovarian conditions, combined through the ROMA algorithm (Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm), which weighs both markers against menopausal status to produce a more informative risk assessment than either marker alone.
Led by Nurse Luciana
Expert blood draws and comprehensive written reports for every protocol.
Biomarker Blueprint
Clinical Measurements
Ovarian Cancer Markers
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are CA-125 and HE4?
CA-125 and HE4 are proteins that can be raised in ovarian cancer. CA-125 alone is imperfect — it can be elevated by many benign conditions and normal in some early cancers. HE4 is less affected by benign gynaecological conditions. Measuring both, combined via the ROMA algorithm, gives a more reliable risk assessment than either alone.
Q. What is the ROMA algorithm?
ROMA (Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm) is a validated calculation that combines your CA-125 and HE4 results with your menopausal status to estimate the probability that an ovarian mass, if present, is malignant. Your report presents this as a clear risk category.
Q. Can this test diagnose ovarian cancer?
No. This is a risk assessment, not a diagnosis. Raised markers can occur without cancer, and early cancers can exist with normal markers. Diagnosis requires imaging (usually ultrasound) and specialist assessment. If your results are raised, we will advise you clearly to see your GP.
Q. Who should consider this screening?
Women with a family history of ovarian or breast cancer (including BRCA mutations), women over 50, and women with persistent unexplained symptoms such as bloating or pelvic discomfort — though anyone with ongoing symptoms should see their GP directly rather than relying on screening.
Q. How soon will I get results?
Typically the next working day, with a written report from our registered nurse explaining your CA-125, HE4 and ROMA score in plain English, and clear guidance on any recommended next steps.
Clinical Protocol
No fasting is required. Please tell us the date of your last menstrual period and whether you are pre- or post-menopausal, as this is required for accurate ROMA calculation. Certain benign conditions — endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammation and even menstruation itself — can raise CA-125, so timing may matter.
- Standard Medical & Lifestyle Questionnaire
- Height
- Weight
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
Gentle Blood Draws by Our Registered Nurse
Our South Kensington Clinic
Not sure which test you need? We'll guide you.
Book a health screening without choosing a package — our registered nurse will call you before your visit to talk through your health goals and recommend the right tests for you. No obligation, and you only pay in clinic for what you choose.
Guided bookings open from two days ahead so our team can call you first. Outside clinic hours? Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll reply as soon as we open.
Ovarian Cancer Risk Screening — CA-125, HE4 & ROMA Blood Test in London
Our Ovarian Cancer Risk Screening combines the two most established ovarian blood markers — CA-125 and HE4 — with the validated ROMA algorithm to give women a clearer picture of ovarian cancer risk than a single marker can provide. Nurse-led, discreet, with next-working-day results at our South Kensington clinic.
What's Included
- CA-125 blood marker
- HE4 blood marker
- ROMA risk algorithm (menopause-adjusted)
- Nurse consultation and vital signs
- Written report by a registered nurse
Not Included (Upgrade Available)
- —Pelvic ultrasound or imaging
- —Gynaecological examination
- —Genetic (BRCA) testing
- —Diagnosis — screening assesses risk only
Who Is This Test For?
- Women with a family history of ovarian or breast cancer
- Women aged 50+ wanting an ovarian marker baseline
- Women with BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations (alongside specialist care)
- Women monitoring markers between specialist reviews
- Women seeking reassurance with a validated two-marker approach
Why two markers are better than one
CA-125 has been used for decades, but roughly one in five ovarian cancers produce little CA-125, while benign conditions such as endometriosis and fibroids can raise it substantially. HE4 complements it: it is rarely elevated in benign gynaecological disease, so a raised HE4 carries more weight, and a normal HE4 provides useful reassurance when CA-125 is mildly raised. The ROMA calculation formalises this relationship and adjusts for menopausal status — pre- and post-menopausal women have different baseline patterns.
Symptoms you should never ignore
Screening is for women without significant symptoms. If you have persistent bloating, feeling full quickly, pelvic or abdominal pain, needing to urinate more often, unexplained weight loss or post-menopausal bleeding — see your GP now. NICE guidance recommends GPs test CA-125 and arrange ultrasound for women with these symptoms, and this pathway is free on the NHS. Our screening complements, and never replaces, symptomatic NHS care.
Your appointment and results
The visit takes about 20 minutes with our female-led nursing team in South Kensington. Results arrive the next working day through our secure portal with a written report explaining each marker and your ROMA category. If anything warrants follow-up, your report will say exactly what to share with your GP, and we can provide copies for your NHS record.
Important: This is a screening (risk assessment) blood test, not a diagnostic test. No blood test can confirm or rule out cancer on its own. Results outside the reference range do not mean you have cancer, and normal results do not guarantee its absence. If you have symptoms, or your results are unexpected, we will advise you to discuss them with your GP, who can arrange further investigation where appropriate.
"Our Ovarian Cancer Risk Screening provides the comprehensive insight you need to take control of your health. Every biomarker is carefully analysed and results are reviewed by our clinical team."
Nurse Luciana, Lead Clinical Nurse
Same-day appointments available in South Kensington
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