A simple blood test may soon transform the way ovarian cancer is diagnosed. Researchers say this new tool, which relies on advanced machine learning, can identify the disease in its earliest stages with remarkable accuracy. If approved, experts believe the test could be integrated into the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), offering hope for thousands of women.

Ovarian cancer is often dubbed the “silent killer” because its early symptoms, such as bloating, pelvic pain, or frequent urination, can be vague and easily mistaken for less serious conditions. According to Cancer Research UK, more than 7,500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer annually, most commonly after the age of 50. Unfortunately, many cases are discovered late, when treatment options are limited and outcomes less favorable.

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer develops when abnormal cells in the ovaries grow uncontrollably, sometimes spreading to other parts of the body. It is one of the deadliest gynaecological cancers because of late detection. The survival rate is significantly higher if the disease is caught in its early stages, around 93% of women diagnosed at stage one survive at least five years compared to just 13% for those diagnosed at stage four, according to the American Cancer Society.

Currently, diagnosis usually involves a combination of ultrasound scans, existing blood tests, and sometimes biopsies. Yet, these methods often fail to catch the disease soon enough. This is where the new blood test could be a game-changer.

How the Test Works

Developed by AOA Dx, the test looks for what cancer cells shed into the bloodstream. Cancerous cells release tiny fragments containing lipids (fat-like molecules) and proteins, which together act like a biological fingerprint for ovarian cancer.

The test then uses a machine-learning algorithm trained on thousands of patient samples to analyse these biomarkers. This allows it to detect patterns invisible to the human eye and to distinguish ovarian cancer from other conditions with much greater accuracy than current tools.

Alex Fisher, chief operating officer and co-founder of AOA Dx, explained: “The test can detect the disease at early stages and with greater accuracy than current tools.”

Dr Abigail McElhinny, the company’s chief science officer, added that combining multiple biomarker types into one platform allows the detection of ovarian cancer across different subtypes and stages.

Study Findings Show Strong Accuracy

The potential of this test has been highlighted by research published in the journal Cancer Research Communications, led by teams at the University of Manchester and the University of Colorado.

Testing 832 samples, the results were striking:

• In samples from Colorado, the test detected ovarian cancer correctly in 93% of all stages and 91% of early stages.
• In Manchester samples, accuracy stood at 92% across all stages and 88% in early stages.

Professor Emma Crosbie, gynaecological oncology expert at the University of Manchester, said: “AOA Dx’s platform has the potential to significantly improve patient care and outcomes for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. We are eager to continue advancing this research through additional trials.”

Hope for the Future

If larger trials confirm these findings, the blood test could become a routine diagnostic tool, helping identify ovarian cancer earlier than ever before. This would not only save lives but also reduce healthcare costs by allowing treatment when the disease is most manageable.

For women, particularly those over 50 or with a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, this breakthrough could provide reassurance and a better chance at survival. While the test still awaits regulatory approval, experts are hopeful that it marks a turning point in the fight against ovarian cancer.

While the NHS will be inviting many people to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations this year, a small group will need to skip it, even if they qualify for a free jab. Vaccines play an essential role in strengthening our body’s defences against viruses and are especially important during colder months.

This is because illnesses like Covid-19 continue to evolve, which can reduce the immune system’s ability to fight them over time. While the vaccine isn’t mandatory for everyone, it remains strongly advised for those more likely to develop serious illness from a coronavirus infection. Below is the full NHS list of people who are advised not to take the Covid jab.

The NHS generally recommends the Covid-19 vaccine for adults aged 75 and older, those living in care homes for older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems due to medical conditions or treatments. However, for some, the vaccine may pose risks of adverse reactions, making it unsafe to receive.

Side Effects Of Covid-19 Vaccine

Not everyone who gets a Covid-19 vaccine will notice side effects, but NHS guidance outlines a few common ones, including:

• Aching muscles
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Soreness at the injection site
• Mild flu-like symptoms

These reactions are typically mild and tend to disappear within a week. The NHS recommends taking paracetamol to ease any discomfort during recovery.

Full List Of People Who Can’t Have The Covid Vaccine

The NHS continues to encourage everyone eligible for the vaccine to take it, especially during the winter months when infection rates usually climb. However, a few groups may need to delay or avoid the jab altogether, such as:

• People currently unwell with Covid-19
• Anyone running a high temperature
• Individuals who are feeling generally unwell
• Those at risk of a severe allergic reaction
• People who have recently recovered from Covid-19

If you have previously experienced a severe allergic reaction to the Covid vaccine or any other jab, your GP or vaccination provider may refer you to an allergy specialist who can assess your situation. In some cases, you may be advised to receive the vaccine in a specialist setting, such as a hospital, where any reaction can be managed quickly.

According to NHS guidance, this level of caution is usually only required for those with a history of anaphylaxis. However, even if you’ve experienced mild allergic symptoms before, such as hives, wheezing, or a rashyou may still be able to get vaccinated safely.

If you believe you currently have a Covid-19 infection, it’s best to wait until you’ve fully recovered before booking your jab. The NHS also clarifies that those who’ve recently had Covid-19 may not need the vaccine right away, as their immune system is already primed to recognise and respond to the latest strain.

You can find full details and updates on NHS guidance about the Covid-19 vaccine on their official website.

A full night's rest is more uncommon than you realize. A lot of people throughout the world are struggling with sleep issues, according to the Sleep Foundation. They explain that too many adults are simply not getting the rest they need. On average, over one-third of adults get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep each night.

Many times, people cannot sleep well due to staying up too late, overworking themselves or having sleep problems. Sleep deprivation can have harmful effects on one’s health. But can this be change? According to Dr Sudhir Kumar, a Hyderabad-based neurologist, there are 3 habits that can help people ensure a good night’s sleep.

Sleep is crucial for both your mind and body. When you have chronic sleep deprivation, it doesn't just make you tired; it can harm nearly every system in your body. From your heart to your weight, not getting enough rest messes up the important natural processes that keep you healthy.

How Does Sleep Deprivation Affect Health?

Missing out on sleep does more than just make you tired—it actually messes up your body's normal functions and increases your risk for serious illnesses. According to the Harvard Health, getting less than six hours of sleep a night, you double your risk for Type 2 Diabetes. Not getting enough sleep throws off the hormones that control your blood sugar, making it hard for your body to manage sugar correctly. It can also raise your risk for high blood pressure and which then leads to heart problems and increased stress. Poor sleep is also linked to depression, anxiety, dementia, and weight gain because it disrupts key hormones and metabolic functions essential for a healthy body.

3 Simple Tips To Improve Sleep

Getting enough sleep is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect your health. It is never too late to start sleeping better! By practicing good sleep hygiene—like having a consistent bedtime, putting away screens before bed, and making your bedroom dark and cool, you can get the restorative rest your body needs. Dr. Sudhir Kumar suggests that getting better sleep can be simple if you follow these three main rules:

Keep a Fixed Sleep Schedule

Your body has a natural internal clock that works best when it has a clear schedule. To set this clock right, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every single day, even on weekends. This consistency trains your body on when to feel tired and when to be awake, helping you get deeper and more regular sleep.

Unplug Before Bed

The bright light from your phone, tablet, or TV signals to your brain that it is still daytime, which makes it much harder to relax and fall asleep. Stop using all screens for 30 to 60 minutes before you want to sleep. Use that quiet time for a calming activity instead, like reading a paper book, writing in a journal, or doing some slow, deep breathing exercises.

Set the Scene for Sleep

Your bedroom environment is key to quality sleep. You want your room to be a true rest haven:

• Cool: Keep the temperature between about 60–67°F (15–19°C).
• Dark: Make sure the room is completely dark.
• Quiet: Reduce noise as much as possible.

Heart diseases affect women and men differently. This fact has been explored and understood by many different studies. A recent study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research shows that men have to work twice as hard to beat heart diseases than women. While previously, researchers have found that women are at a higher risk of dying from a heart disease. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Health Economics and Outcomes Research, pointed out that a lot of it is due to doctors not taking gender and sex differences into account.

The new study however, points that women may not need to exercise as much as men to gain significant protection against coronary heart disease. Why is there such a big difference in beating the odds for men and women?

How Is Heart Health Different for Men and Women?

The research comes from an observational study of over 85,000 UK adults tracked for about seven years using fitness tracker data. The research clearly shows that men and women need different amounts of exercise to keep their hearts safe. Women seem to get more "bang for their buck" when they exercise:

For Preventing Heart Disease:

Women who did about four hours of moderate exercise each week (think brisk walking) lowered their risk of getting heart disease by about 30%. Men on the other hand needed almost double that time—around eight hours a week—to get the same 30% protection!

If You Already Have Heart Disease:

The difference is even bigger here. Women who had previous heart problems saw their risk of death drop by three times compared to women who didn't exercise. In men with similar heart histories needed much more weekly exercise to get a similar life-saving benefit.

In general, active women had a 5% greater reduction in heart disease risk than active men. This shows that being active is great for everyone, but women might have a slight natural advantage.

What is Moderate Exercise?

It's important to know what kind of exercise we're talking about. Moderate exercise is any activity that gets your heart pumping but doesn't make you feel totally wiped out. Examples include a brisk walk, gardening, or a fast bike ride. Vigorous exercise is when you push your body harder, causing a bigger jump in your heart rate. Think running, swimming laps, or hiking up a steep hill.

The study confirms that any amount of activity is better than none for your heart. Researchers found a clear connection: the more you move, the lower your risk of heart disease and death.

Do Hormones Affect Your Heart Health?

Why do women get such a great benefit with less effort? The study authors point to two main reasons tied to the body's natural makeup:

Hormones

Women have higher levels of the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is thought to help the body burn fat more effectively during exercise. This could be one reason why women see better heart benefits.

Muscle Types

Men tend to have more "fast-twitch" muscles, which are great for quick, powerful movements (like sprinting). Women usually have more "slow-twitch" muscles, which are better for endurance and working efficiently for longer periods. This more "efficient" muscle type might make workouts more beneficial for heart health in women.

Should Doctors Tailor Treatment According To Gender?

It's also crucial to know that heart disease affects men and women differently. Doctors point out that women often develop heart problems later in life and, sadly, are sometimes less likely to get the standard tests and care for heart issues that men receive.

The findings suggest that public health advice should be personalized and recognize that men and women have different needs.

The most important takeaway is this: Talk to your doctor before you start any new fitness plan. Your perfect exercise routine depends on your current health, fitness level, and any existing medical issues. There is no one-size-fits-all plan!