ROCA Care is a comprehensive surveillance package using the ROCA Test.
The ROCA Test is intended for women who:
- Are over 35 years old
- Have tested positive for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
- Choose to delay preventative surgery for reasons that may include wanting to complete their family, or avoid surgical menopause
Before taking the test, you should consult with a clinician to understand the risks and benefits and to assess your suitability.
Surveillance requires testing 3 times a year. The test result is a numerical score that indicates your risk of developing ovarian cancer. The score is categorised as Normal, Intermediate, or Elevated. An intermediate or Elevated result may require you to have additional tests or a transvaginal ultrasound scan of your ovaries.
The ROCA Care Package
ROCA Care includes:
- An annual clinical consultation (£200).
The first pre-test consultation will assess your suitability for the ROCA Test.
- A ROCA Test, every 4 months (£200 per test),
This includes phlebotomy, test reports and consultant letters.
The ROCA Test is not yet available on the NHS, but the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has endorsed it.
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women. It is often called the “silent killer” because the symptoms can be vague and difficult to diagnose at an early stage, when the survival rate is high.
(Read more from Cancer Research UK).
The sooner ovarian cancer can be detected, the earlier it can be diagnosed and treated, increasing the chance of survival.
The ROCA Test, or Risk of Ovarian Cancer Algorithm, is a blood test that assesses the risk of having ovarian cancer. It is recommended for women who have a known mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, as these mutations are associated with a significantly higher lifetime risk of ovarian cancer.
For women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, it is generally advised to consider prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which involves the surgical removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes. This surgery can prevent ovarian cancer from developing. However, two consequences of this procedure are a loss of fertility and the onset of early menopause, which can have various health implications. Therefore, some women choose to delay the surgical procedure in order to maintain hormonal balance and preserve their fertility for as long as possible.
Any woman interested in surveillance using the ROCA Test would have an initial paid consultation arranged with a UK consultant,
Professor Adam Rosenthal, a London-based gynaecological consultant, who has over 25 years of clinical and research experience. The consultation will allow you to understand the benefits and risks of using the ROCA Test, your lifetime risk of ovarian cancer and your suitability for the test. If you wish to go ahead, you can have your blood test taken at our Clinic.
When your results are ready, you will receive a test report and a consultant letter by Email, and if required, a follow-up teleconsultation. More information about the ROCA Test can be found at
www.therocatest.co.uk
ROCA Care is available to any woman throughout the UK. You can have your blood sample at our clinic or at home via our home service. You can order online here with our Customer Care Team on 01134608760.
Limitations
Understand the risks, limitations and contraindications of the ROCA Test.
Limitations and Risks
- The ROCA Test does not detect all women with ovarian cancer. Therefore, women need to remain aware of the symptoms and speak with their doctor if they are concerned.
- The ROCA Test is NOT to be used as the only test to determine whether you should proceed to surgery or undergo other treatment for ovarian cancer. An abnormal ROCA Test should always be followed by a transvaginal ultrasound examination. In some circumstances, other tests (e.g. pelvic exam, MRI, CT Scan) may be conducted to help the doctor determine whether surgery is necessary.
- An abnormal (“Intermediate” or “Elevated”) ROCA Test result does not mean you definitely have ovarian cancer. Your ROCA score could be abnormal due to other reasons, such as colitis, chronic active hepatitis, endometriosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis. Some women might have a naturally high level of a protein called CA-125, which causes a temporarily high ROCA result until the test learns what your baseline is.
- The current clinical recommendation for women who are considered ‘high risk’ for ovarian cancer (due to mutations in BRCA genes) is prophylactic risk-reducing surgery, typically removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The ROCA Test should NOT be offered as an alternative to risk-reducing surgery. Only if a woman cannot undergo or declines risk-reducing surgery should the ROCA Test be considered.
- Although there is evidence that more early-stage ovarian cancers can be detected in women who undergo surveillance using the ROCA Test, many women will still be diagnosed after the cancer has spread.
- There is no evidence to show that surveillance of women with BRCA mutations with the ROCA Test can save lives.
- Surveillance for ovarian cancer using the ROCA Test may create anxiety in some women if there are abnormal results, even when no cancer is present. In some women, these results will lead to surgery even when no cancer is present and occasionally the surgery will have complications. All women undergoing surveillance should understand these risks.
Contraindications
The ROCA Test has not been evaluated in:
- Women previously treated for ovarian cancer.
- Women with symptoms that may be suggestive of ovarian cancer
- Women who have had both their fallopian tubes and ovaries removed.
- Women have been treated with chemotherapy for any cancer in the last 12 months.
- Women over 84 years of age.
- Women under 35 years of age.
- Pregnant women.
- Only a doctor can determine if the ROCA Test is appropriate for a woman.
Get More informations from
https://www.therocatest.co.uk/for-patients/faq/
Ovarian Cancer & ROCA® Test – Patient FAQs
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a disease where abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in one or both ovaries or the fallopian tubes, forming a tumour. Tumours can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Malignant ovarian cancer can spread within the abdomen if not detected early.
How common is ovarian cancer in the UK?
Ovarian cancer affects around 1 in 52 women in the UK during their lifetime. It is the sixth most common cancer in women and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths due to late diagnosis.
What are the early symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Early symptoms are often subtle and persistent. The most common include:
- Persistent bloating or increased abdominal size
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Feeling full quickly or having difficulty eating
- Needing to urinate more frequently
Symptoms lasting more than two weeks should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Is ovarian cancer hereditary?
Most ovarian cancers are not inherited. However, 20–25% are linked to inherited genetic mutations, most commonly BRCA1 or BRCA2. Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer may have a higher lifetime risk.
Can a smear test detect ovarian cancer?
No. A cervical smear test only screens for cervical cancer. It cannot detect ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer requires different forms of monitoring and investigation.
What is the ROCA® Test?
The ROCA Test is a blood-based ovarian cancer risk assessment that monitors changes in CA-125 levels over time, combined with age and clinical data. It is currently the only test recommended by NICE for ovarian cancer surveillance in certain high-risk women.
How is the ROCA Test different from a CA-125 test?
A standard CA-125 test uses a single result and a fixed cut-off value. The ROCA Test tracks individual CA-125 trends over time, allowing earlier detection of concerning changes that may still fall within the “normal” range on a single test.
Who is eligible for the ROCA Test?
The ROCA Test is intended for women over 35 years old who have tested positive for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation and wish to delay risk-reducing surgery. Eligibility should be confirmed with a healthcare professional.
How often should the ROCA Test be done?
The ROCA Test is usually performed every 3 to 4 months. Regular testing is essential because the test relies on detecting changes over time rather than one isolated result.
Does a normal ROCA Test result mean I don’t have ovarian cancer?
No. A normal result means no concerning change has been detected at that time. Ongoing routine testing is important to continue monitoring risk, as ovarian cancer can develop between tests.
We offer a wide range of blood tests, but the list below is not comprehensive. If you can’t find what you need or need more information, please feel free to contact us at 01138301371 and speak to one of our healthcare professionals. We’ll be more than happy to help you out.
- We provide a same-day blood result service for some blood tests (Monday – Saturday, excluding Bank Holidays).
- A £ 35 fee for Phlebotomy + Courier charge will be applied for all Bloods.
Please inform us at the time of booking if you require same-day results.
The Appropriate cancellation charge will apply as shown below.
- Amendments: 72 hrs ( 3 days Notice )
- Bookings made on the same day or 1 to 3 days before your appointment cannot be amended.
- Refund Applicable: 14 Days or more: Full refund
- Between 10 and 14 days: £30 non-refundable deposit balance paid will be refunded
- Between 1 and 9 days: No refund will be given
- Failure to attend: No refund will be given
- Rescheduled Appointments are not eligible for Cancellation or Refunds.
At Miracle Inside Diagnostic Scan Centre, we firmly believe that knowledge is the cornerstone of good health. Our dedicated team is committed to supporting you on your unique health journey, offering expertise, compassion, and confidentiality every step of the way. If you prefer to enquire about your service over the phone, please call us at 0113 460 8760.
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