NEARLY HALF OF WOMEN WITH OVARIAN CANCER ARE NOT RECEIVING CRITICAL GENETIC TESTING

DISPARITIES IN TESTING RATES AMONG OLDER WOMEN AND THOSE ON PUBLIC INSURANCE PERSIST 

NEW YORK, March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly half of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are not receiving the genetic testing that could help guide treatment and improve outcomes, according to a new analysis from Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) and Komodo Health. The report highlights disparities, particularly among women over 65 and those reliant on public insurance.

Genetic testing is crucial for identifying BRCA mutations and other markers that guide precision therapies like PARP inhibitors. OCRA's analysis found that only 52% of women diagnosed between 2016 and 2023 received genetic testing, despite universal recommendations. Women with commercial insurance were 37% more likely to be tested than those with public insurance. While 62% of commercially insured patients received testing, only 38% on Medicare FFS and 40% on Medicaid did. Younger patients were tested at significantly higher rates than older ones.

"These findings underscore the urgent need to ensure that every woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer has access to genetic testing and the potentially life-saving treatment insights it can provide," said Audra Moran, President and CEO of OCRA. "The fact that nearly half of all ovarian cancer patients are not being tested is unacceptable, and it is particularly concerning that older women and those on public insurance face the greatest barriers. At OCRA, we're committed to addressing these disparities and advocating for policies that improve access to care for all women facing ovarian and gynecologic cancers."

Since 2014, major health organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), have recommended that all ovarian cancer patients receive genetic counseling and testing. However, systemic barriers—particularly among older patients and those on public insurance—continue to limit access.

OCRA is working to close this gap by providing free genetic testing resources and advocating for increased funding for research, education, and expanded Medicare and Medicaid coverage for genetic testing and treatment. With no early detection test available—and research showing that early detection does not significantly impact mortality—genetic testing remains a critical tool for identifying inherited risk and enabling preventative measures like surgery.

The study is based on data from Komodo Health's Healthcare Map™, the industry's most comprehensive de-identified patient database, which tracks over 330 million patient journeys. Komodo Health uses advanced analytics to uncover insights that drive improvements in healthcare access and outcomes.

OCRA is the largest global organization dedicated to fighting ovarian and gynecologic cancers while supporting patients and families. Since 1994, OCRA has invested $128 million in research, helped secure $3.8 billion in federal research funding, and supports 95,000 individuals annually. Learn more at www.ocrahope.org.

SOURCE Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance