About OVA1

OVA1^® is a simple blood test cleared by the FDA to help physicians assess the likelihood an ovarian mass is malignant prior to a planned surgery. It is not a screening test, yet OVA1 is to be used in along with a physician’s overall assessment to help guide surgical decision for the patient. 

OVA1^® measures the levels of five proteins found in the blood and then uses a proprietary software called OvaCalc^® to calculate a single score. A woman’s risk of cancer is measured by using a 0-10 scale versus predetermined cut-off points. Women who are pre-menopausal have a cut off of 5.0 whereas postmenopausal women have a 4.4 cutoff. A high OVA1^® score is not a diagnosis of cancer, rather it indicates an increased risk.

An elevated OVA1^® test score may help the physician determine if the woman should be referred to a gynecologic oncologist. A gynecologic oncologist is a gynecologist who has undergone extensive training and specializes in gynecological cancers. Studies have shown that women with ovarian malignancies can experience better outcomes when they are operated on by a gynecologic oncologist.

Understanding How OVA1 Works