On Feb. 7, 2002, scientists from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that patterns of proteins found in patients’ serum may reflect the presence of ovarian cancer, even at early stages.

Evidence had shown that more than 80% of ovarian cancer patients were diagnosed at a late clinical stage and have a 20% or less chance of survival at 5 years. This new diagnostic concept was potentially applicable to the diagnosis of other diseases.