Ads call ovarian cancer a ‘silent killer’. But does urging women to undergo early detection testing do more harm than good? | Antiviral

Website offering blood check is aimed at people with a higher risk of disease – and false positives can create fear

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“Early detection blood testing” for ovarian cancer “is now available in Australia”, the online ads say, warning that “it’s not just women with a family history” who can be diagnosed.

The ad calls the cancer a “silent killer” and says women who wish to be “proactive” can visit a website for early detection. It lists general symptoms including bloating, pelvic pain and the urge to urinate more frequently as potential signs of the disease.

Melissa Davey is Guardian Australia’s medical editor

Antiviral is a fortnightly column that interrogates the evidence behind the health headlines and factchecks popular wellness claims