Join us

News and Gallery

Read more

News

DETECT-2 collaborators meeting

We hosted the DETECT-2 Collaborators Meeting 2026!

We were thrilled to host the DETECT-2 Collaborators Meeting at our offices in Charterhouse Square, London on the 28th April 2026. Over the day we had presentations from the study team sharing updates on recruitment numbers, staff experiences, patient participant experiences, and emerging findings from our interview analysis and micro-costings data. We also held discussion […]

Read more
Reach for the scars

World Ovarian Cancer Day!

On May 8, the world comes together to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and drive meaningful change for women everywhere. This year, the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition is launching a bold new social media campaign to make ovarian cancer impossible to ignore. They are inviting survivors to take part in a global awareness campaign: Reach […]

Read more
Annual Scientific Meeting

Presentation at the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy Annual Scientific Meeting

Prof Manchanda was at guest speaker at the 2026 BSGE Annual Scientific Meeting. He presented a talk titled ‘Salpingectomy for ovarian cancer prevention’. The meeting was held at the QEII Centre, Westminster, London on 29th April – 1st May 2026.  

Read more
Finalist in the CVER award for CE Analysis

Finalist in an CEVR Award for Cost-effectiveness Analysis!

A paper by Xia Wei titled Defining Lifetime Risk Thresholds for Breast Cancer Surgical Prevention, was a finalist for the 8th annual CEA Registry Paper of the Year Award! The Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health (CEVR) at Tufts Medical Center recognise outstanding contributions in the field of cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). The awards are granted […]

Read more
Recurrence and malignant transformation

New paper published! Recurrence and malignant transformation after borderline ovarian tumours

A new paper has been published in Anticancer Research. A review of 41 studies examines recurrence and malignant transformation risks following different surgical strategies for borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs). Results show that cystectomy-based fertility sparing surgery is associated with significantly higher recurrence than oophorectomy-based approaches or radical surgery. Radical surgery was associated with the lowest […]

Read more
50 Years of Excellence, AUTH

Prof Manchanda presenting at the 2nd Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, AUTH

Prof Manchanda delivered a talk titled “Endometrial and ovarian cancer prevention: feasible reality or chimera?” at the 50 Years of Excellence – 2nd Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, AUTH. This conference was held on the 3rd to 5th April 2026 at Aristotle University’s Research Dissemination Center (KEDEA) in Thessaloniki, Greece. Prof Manchanda was a Chairman at […]

Read more
News archive

Social media

instagram @womensprecisionprevention

1 month ago
1 month ago
2 months ago
2 months ago
2 months ago
2 months ago

Image gallery

Presentations and Lectures
Dr Sideris presenting Reconstruction of epithelial transcriptional trajectories
Prof Manchanda presenting a Plenary on lessons from PROTECT-C
Prof Manchanda presenting to the GO department of the National University Hospital
Prof Manchanda presenting on Jewish JBRCA program
Dr Fierheller presenting on PROTECT-C
Dr Ganesan presenting NBN PV
Dona Chakraborty and Prof Manchanda
Prof Manchanda at ESGO
Dr Ganesan and Prof Manchanda
Team at the Festival of Genomics
Team at the Festival of Genomics
Team with their poster at the GSK meeting
Prof Manchanda as the Chai Cancer Care Guest of Honour
Dr Wei presenting her work
Dr Fierheller presenting on cost-effective lifetime risk threshold for risk-reducing mastectomy. Congratulations on winning best oral presentation 🙂
Prof Manchanda with a late breaking abstract on evaluation of the BRCA-DIRECT pilot programme
Prof Manchanda speaking about Population-based Genetic Testing and PROTECT-C at BGCS London July 2025
Dr Sia presented on Early Salpingectomy and Delayed Oophorectomy for Ovarian Cancer Prevention
Dr Oxley presenting on the cost-effective lifetime risk threshold for risk-reducing hysterectomy and Mirena to reduce the risk of womb cancer
Dr Sideris presenting an oral poster on a systematic review and meta-analysis on the risk of ovarian cancer with a NBN pathogenic variant
Ms Kurzer presented on the role of the CNS in a Genomics service
Dr Pundir presented on fertility preservation in women with cancer
Dr Ganesan with her poster on systematic review and meta-analysis on the risk of ovarian cancer with a pathogenic variant in the NBN gene
PROTECTOR team with their poster on improving questionnaire response rates in the study
Dr Fierheller with her poster on the DETECT-2 study protocol
Dr Oxley presenting on Health-related quality of life after risk-reducing hysterectomy in women with Lynch syndrome.
Prof Manchanda speaking at the NHS Jewish BRCA testing programme awareness reception in Manchester
Prof Manchanda leading a debate session on ‘Hereditary breast cancer and genetics – should we test every new patient?’
Dr Fierheller presenting on ‘Population-based BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing in Canada: an economic evaluation’
Prof Manchanda presenting on ‘The NHS Jewish BRCA testing programme and general population panel testing for cancer susceptibility genes’
Xia Wei presenting on Cost-Effectiveness of Gene-Specific Prevention Strategies for Ovarian and Breast Cancer’
Dr Oxley presenting on ‘Experiences of women following risk-reducing early salpingectomy & delayed-oophorectomy, and salpingo-oophorectomy on the PROTECTOR trial: a qualitative study
Prof Manchanda presenting on BRCA population testing at ‘Opportunities in Ovarian Cancer’
With our poster presentations at BGCS Conference 2024
Katrina Sarig presenting on BRCA awareness and testing experience in the UK Jewish population: A qualitative study
Dr Kalra presenting on ‘Patient decision aids in genetic testing for women with ovarian cancer’
Dr Fieheller presenting on ‘Somatic genetic characteristics of tumours from FANCI c.1813C>T, a likely low-to-moderate penetrance ovarian cancer predisposing gene
Prof Manchanda presenting on Future Plans for Extension at the PROTECTOR Collaborators Meeting
Dr Kalra presenting on Literature Update at the PROTECTOR Collaborators Meeting
Dr Sia presenting on ‘Trial Coordination’ at the PROTECTOR Collaborators Meeting
GCaPPS: Genetic Cancer Prediction through Population Screening
(2008-2019)

Following pre-test counselling and informed consent, 1034 Ashkenazi Jewish men and women were randomised to either population based or clinical criteria (family history) based genetic testing for BRCA founder mutations. Participants were followed up for three years after the test result. The study showed that compared to family-history based testing, population-based BRCA founder mutation testing doesn’t harm psychological health (anxiety, depression, health anxiety, distress, uncertainty)  or quality-of-life and identifies 150% additional BRCA carriers. Overall anxiety decreased with time. Long term follow up data shows a reduction in anxiety with population testing compared to family-history or clinical criteria based testing. We found BRCA testing in the Jewish population is acceptable, feasible, and can be undertaken in a community setting. It had high acceptability and was associated with 88% uptake and high satisfaction rates of ~95%. In a non-inferiority cluster-randomised trial we found that DVD-assisted pre-test counselling for population BRCA-testing is an effective, acceptable, non-inferior, time-saving and cost-efficient alternative to traditional genetic-counselling.

Our cost-effectiveness analysis shows, a population-based BRCA testing approach in the Ashkenazi Jewish population, reduces breast and ovarian cancer incidence, leading to up to an additional 33 days gain in life-expectancy and is extremely cost-effective (cost saving) with a discounted incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) = -£2960/quality adjusted life year (QALY). Probabilistic sensitivity analysis shows this remains cost-effective for 95% simulations at the £20,000/QALY NICE threshold. Our modelling suggests this could lead to 276 fewer ovarian and 508 fewer breast cancer cases in the UK. Overall, reduction in treatment costs could lead to a discounted cost savings of £3.7 million for the NHS.

Cost-effectiveness Population BRCA testing in Canada(2022-2024)
Evaluation of cost-effectiveness of population based BRCA testing in Canada. This project is being undertaken in collaboration with the team in British Columbia led by Prof Kwon and Prof Dawson.
PROMISE Feasibility Study
(2016-2019)
This pilot study into the impact of population based genetic testing for ovarian/breast cancer gene mutations recruited 103 women from the general population. It found that population-based testing is feasible and acceptable, has high satisfaction, reduces cancer worry/risk perception, and does not negatively impact psychological health/quality of life.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of multigene testing at breast cancer diagnosis

This study investigated whether offering unselected genetic testing of a panel of BRCA1/BRCA2/PALB2 genes to everyone diagnosed with breast cancer was cost-effective compared to the current model of BRCA1/BRCA2 testing based on a patient’s family history/clinical criteria. This study found that unselected panel gene testing for everyone at breast cancer diagnosis was highly cost-effective compared to the current model of testing for UK and US health systems, and could save 2101 cases of ovarian and breast cancer in the UK, and 2406 in the US per year.

Value based genetic technology for breast cancer in China. (2020-2023)

Evaluating cost-effectiveness of population based panel genetic testing for ovarian/breast cancer gene mutations in the general population (2016-2019)
This study evaluated the cost-utility of unselected genetic testing (for BRCA1/BRCA2/PALB2) for all patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK and USA, compared to the traditional family history/clinical criteria approach. Unselected testing was cost-effective in both systems, and could prevent 2101 cases of breast/ovarian cancer in the UK, and 9733 cases in the USA.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of multigene testing at breast cancer diagnosis

This study investigated whether offering unselected genetic testing of a panel of BRCA1/BRCA2/PALB2 genes to everyone diagnosed with breast cancer was cost-effective compared to the current model of BRCA1/BRCA2 testing based on a patient’s family history/clinical criteria. This study found that unselected panel gene testing for everyone at breast cancer diagnosis was highly cost-effective compared to the current model of testing for UK and US health systems, and could save 2101 cases of ovarian and breast cancer in the UK, and 2406 in the US per year.

Value based genetic technology for breast cancer in China. (2020-2023)

RRESDO Study

A multicentre UK cohort questionnaire study to determine risk-reducing early salpingectomy and delayed oophorectomy (RRESDO) acceptability and effect of surgical prevention on menopausal sequelae/satisfaction/regret in women at increased ovarian cancer (OC) risk.

We found that RRESDO has high acceptability among premenopausal women at increased ovarian cancer risk, particularly those concerned about sexual dysfunction.

Economic Evaluation of Population-Based BRCA1/BRCA2 Mutation Testing across Multiple Countries and Health Systems

This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of population-based BRCA testing in general population women across different countries/health systems. Our findings are split across high-income (HIC), upper-middle income (UMIC) and low-middle income countries (LMIC). Our findings suggest that population-based BRCA testing for countries evaluated is extremely cost-effective across high (US/UK/Netherlands) and upper/middle income countries’ health systems (China/Brazil), is cost-saving for high-income health systems from a societal perspective, and can prevent tens of thousands more breast or ovarian cancer cases.

Defining the ‘risk thresholds’ for risk reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) for ovarian cancer prevention

We for the first time defined the precise ovarian cancer risk thresholds at which risk reducing salpingo oophorectomy (preventive surgery) should be undertaken for ovarian cancer prevention in both pre- and post-menopausal women. 

Our findings show this is cost-effective in intermediate risk women too, saving 7-10 years of a woman’s life. This has significant implications for a number of women who currently can’t access risk reducing surgery. It also provides clinical utility for genetic testing of intermediate risk ovarian cancer genes. This has led to change in guidelines/practice for surgical prevention of ovarian cancer.

Previous projects supported by our team

Value based genetic technology for breast cancer in China (2020-2023)

Investigating BRCAness in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in India to develop stratified surgical and chemotherapy options (2017-2020)

Correlation of p53 IHC expression with TP53 mutation status in Endometrial Carcinoma (Co-investigator) (2017-2019)

UK FOCSS – UK Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study

UKCTOCS – UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening

ALDO – Avoiding late diagnosis of ovarian cancer

Shape Up following cancer treatment

SOCQER2

Use of Plasmajet in ultra-radical surgery for advanced Ovarian Cancer (2015-2019)

SURAKSHA- South Asian Breast Cancer Risk Prediction, Genetic testing & Health Management programme (2020-2021)

SHAPE

STATEC

MAPPING

ROCkeTS

SCCAN

GROningen INternational Study on Sentinel nodes in Vulvar cancer (GROINSS-V)

For more details on these support projects, click here!

PROTECTOR: Preventing Ovarian Cancer Through early Excision of Tubes & late Ovarian Removal

PROTECTOR is a research study for women who are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, due a strong family history of cancer, or an alteration in genes (such as BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51C, RAD51D, BRIP1, or PALB2). This study assesses the impact of surgery to remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries to prevent ovarian cancer. 

Participants can choose whether to have no surgery, the usual operation to remove both tubes and ovaries, or a new 2-step approach of removing the fallopian tubes first followed by a second operation to remove the ovaries later. 

The study assesses the impact of these surgeries on sexual function, hormone levels, quality of life and overall satisfaction. 41 sites across the UK are recruiting. PROTECTOR is funded by Barts Charity & Rosetrees Trust.

PROTECTOR Phase 1 has completed recruitment, and we are looking to open for Phase 2 in January 2025. 

For more information please visit: http://www.protector.org.uk/
DETECT-2: Direct to Patient testing at Cancer diagnosis for Precision Prevention-2

DETECT-2 is a study investigating if genetic testing can be offered to people in their own home.

In this study, participants who have been diagnosed with ovarian, womb, or bowel cancer are randomly assigned to be offered either conventional genetic testing by their cancer team or genetic testing at home. This new model is called “direct-to-patient” testing and includes offering genetic testing information on an interactive app or website, and offering genetic testing by a home saliva kit posted to participants.

DETECT-2 will assess if direct-to-patient genetic testing impacts participants’ willingness to accept genetic testing, or has an impact on their quality-of-life, satisfaction, or mental wellbeing. It will also assess if direct-to-patient testing is cost-effective.

DETECT-2 is supported by GSK and the North East London Cancer Alliance

For more information please visit: https://www.detect-2.co.uk/
PRESCORES: Prevention of endometrial cancer: Utility scores of risk-reducing strategies
PRESCORES is a research study looking into the quality of life of women after an operation to prevent womb (endometrial) cancer. This operation is known as risk-reducing hysterectomy. We will use this to understand whether more people at risk of this cancer could benefit from this operation.
For more information please visit: PRESCORES – Wolfson Institute of Population Health (qmul.ac.uk)
PROTECT-C: Population based germline testing for early detection and prevention of cancer

PROTECT-C is offering genetic testing to women (women, trans men and non-binary people with female reproductive organs) to see if they have an increased risk of breast, ovary, bowel and/or womb cancer. This is regardless of whether they or their families have had cancer.

Specially trained counsellors are available through a helpline (telephone, virtual, email). If a participant decides to proceed with genetic testing, they will be sent a saliva kit for genetic testing at home (a “direct-to-patient” approach).

PROTECT-C aims to find out how many women decide to have genetic testing, their experience, and how this affects their quality of life, satisfaction and mental well-being. 

PROTECT-C will assess the number of people identified to be at increased risk, and how many of them take up screening and prevention options. The study will also assess whether it is cost-effective for the NHS to offer genetic testing to all women in the population.

PROTECT-C is funded by a £3.89 million research grant from Yorkshire Cancer Research, and is aiming to launch in 2025.

For more information please visit: https://protect-c.co.uk

JHCR: The Jewish Hereditary Cancer Review

This project aims to review the status of BRCA awareness, community support and BRCA testing provision, experience and satisfaction in the ‘at-increased-risk’ Jewish community in the UK.

The review will focus on hereditary cancers associated with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. It will concentrate on the provision of BRCA information and testing in the UK and also look at BRCA-related activities in Jewish communities internationally.

Delivery of the research will be carried out by researchers based at Queen Mary University of London in partnership with the JHCR project director, and under the guidance of expert advisors.

Research outcomes will help identify priority needs and recommendations to improve BRCA awareness in, and access to responsible BRCA testing for, the UK Jewish community.

Findings will be published in a community report and scientific papers – raising awareness and promoting positive action to improve hereditary cancer management and prevention in the UK Jewish community.

For more information please visit: https://wpprevention.org/jhcr-the-jewish-hereditary-cancer-review/ 
OVACATCH: Ovarian Cancer Targeted Early Detection for Faster Diagnosis at a Curable Stage

Ovarian cancer is typically diagnosed at a late stage which is associated with a worse prognosis. There are also no effective screening tests available for ovarian cancer. 

OVACATCH aims to improve earlier diagnosis of ovarian cancer or identify cancers that current investigations may miss, by using longitudinal multiple biomarker algorithms derived from serum blood tests.

These will be validated using prospectively collected longitudinal serum samples held in biobanks from women with cancer diagnoses and healthy controls. A prospective cohort screening trial will then be conducted to evaluate these multi-marker algorithms compared to current methods of ovarian cancer surveillance using ROCA (Risk of Ovarian Cancer Algorithm). 

OVACATCH will evaluate false positive rate, feasibility, compliances, satisfaction and anxiety with screening. This will provide the initial data needed to design a large multicentre screening trial for ovarian cancer, moving the needle forward towards developing an effective screening strategy for ovarian cancer.

SECRETS: Serous endometrial cancer risk and role of risk-reducing hysterectomy in BRCA carriers

The current literature around risk of serous endometrial cancer in BRCA pathogenic variant (PV) carriers is equivocal. There have been few studies that have stratified the risk in serous endometrial cancers and none focusing specifically on this histopathological subtype of endometrial cancer.

 There have been no case-control studies to address this issue and the cohort studies demonstrating increased risk report large confidence intervals, while some others found no increase in risk. The true prevalence of BRCA1/BRCA2 PVs in prospective unselected UK serous EC patients is unknown. There remains continued uncertainty around whether BRCA1 PV carriers should undergo preventive hysterectomy (or not).

This study will address knowledge gaps such as the risk of serous endometrial cancer in patients with BRCA1/BRCA2 PVs, if hysterectomy would be cost-effective in the UK for BRCA1 and BRCA2 PV carriers, and if hysterectomy is acceptable alongside risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy for these carriers. 

UKCOGS: UK COVID and Gynaecological Cancer Study 

UKCOGS is a national study into the changes in diagnosis and treatment of gynaecological oncology patients that occurred in response to COVID-19. It aims to understand the decisions made by multi-disciplinary teams working in gynaecological oncology hospitals, the changes that occurred in these hospitals, and the impact of these changes on the health and survival of cancer patients.

The study is endorsed and supported by the British Gynaecological Cancer Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, NCRI Gynaecological Cancer Clinical Studies Group, British Association of Gynaecological Pathologists, and charities including Ovacome, The Eve Appeal, Target Ovarian Cancer, Ovarian Cancer Action, Jo’s Cervical Cancer trust and GO Girls.

For more information please visit: https://www.bgcs.org.uk/professionals/covid19-resources/research-studies/

SIGNPOST: Systematic genetic testing for personalised ovarian cancer therapy (SIGNPOsT)

Genetic testing in ovarian cancer patients is now being implemented across the NHS.  It’s hoped that by doing this, patients across the NHS will have even better treatments and that in some families, cancers will be prevented. This trial offers a genetic test to women with certain types of ovarian cancer. This is to detect gene alterations that may be a cause of ovarian cancer.

In this study we aim to find out more about:

  • what effect genetic counselling has on women’s emotional quality of life 
  • the gene changes women with ovarian cancer have
  • whether women with gene changes choose to have screening or treatment to prevent ovarian cancer
  • what are the costs of this new genetic testing strategy 

We also want to investigate the factors that affect the risk of developing ovarian cancer. This includes looking at how gene changes and other factors that might affect:

  • the risk of getting it
  • treatment 
  • how well the treatment works (outcome) 

SIGNPOST entails collecting samples including cancer, blood, and genetic information. 

The study is open to women who:

  • have had genetic testing 
  • have been offered testing but refused
  • haven’t had testing

For more information please visit:  https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/find-a-clinical-trial/a-study-looking-at-genetic-testing-for-ovarian-cancer-signpost

Evaluation of the BRCA-Direct SBRI programme

The team has conducted a service evaluation of the BRCA-DIRECT pathway to assess the impact of implementing unselected genetic testing at the point of breast cancer diagnosis in London.

This evaluation encompassed clinical service performance, cost-effectiveness modelling, and patient satisfaction.

We have preliminary data we have presented recently at the BGCS Annual Scientific Meeting, and are working towards disseminating these results soon. 

Evaluation of NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme
The Jewish BRCA Testing Programme is being implemented by the NHS National Cancer Programme team, working with ICR, North Thames GLH, Royal Marsden Hospital, Manchester and QMUL teams along with community organisations and stakeholders including Chai Cancer Care and Jnetics.

For more information please visit J-BRCA (nhsjewishbrcaprogramme.org.uk)

Genetic testing for Lynch syndrome at endometrial cancer diagnosis e-learning modules
This teaching programme aims to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence of gynaecology and gynaecological cancer care professionals in delivering testing for Lynch syndrome for patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer. This is to support implementation of the national standard set by NICE diagnostic guidance 42 as well as other national and international guidelines on Lynch syndrome testing for all women with endometrial cancer. 

For more information please visit https://learninghub.nhs.uk/catalogue/ec-lynch-testing/about

Acceptability of risk-reducing strategies at different lifetime risk thresholds to reduce the risk of breast cancer

Now that we have identified the lifetime risk threshold of breast cancer at which a risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) would be cost-effective, it is important prior to clinical implementation to evaluate the acceptability of this risk-reducing strategy. 

We will be undertaking a vignette study and randomising general population women into 5 groups with different lifetime risks of breast cancer, and asking a series of questions on acceptability of RRM. 

MISSION-O: Menopausal Impact of Opportunistic Salpingectomy for Ovarian Cancer Prevention

Previous studies have analyzed complications and menopausal symptoms of opportunistic salpingectomy (removing the fallopian tubes during other gynecological surgeries), but so far have not evaluated the age of menopause – an important factor because early menopause can have negative consequences for bone health, the cardiovascular system, sexual health and cognitive function.

We will analyze blood samples from participants in the HOPPSA study, where 2,700 women have undergone hysterectomy with or without opportunistic salpingectomy. They are offered to provide blood samples on two occasions: 1–8 and 2–9 years after the operation. In this way, we can compare the age of menopause between those who have undergone opportunistic salpingectomy and those who have not.

Cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening for people in the UK with Lynch syndrome

This project will evaluate the cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer surveillance for people in the UK with Lynch syndrome, in collaboration with teams at St Mark’s Hospital and Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC).

Using retrospective, patient-level colonoscopy records and established colorectal cancer simulation models adapted for Lynch syndrome, we will estimate the costs and health outcomes of alternative surveillance schedules. Results may help quantify the potential benefits of identifying Lynch syndrome via genetic testing and inform future policy and guideline development for colorectal cancer prevention in this population.