THE world's largest ovarian cancer screening trial has now tested 200,000 women.

The research, which began in 2001, is designed to make a significant impact on the mortality rate of sufferers.

Funded by the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK and the Department of Health, the project is run across 13 research centres, including the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

Professor Ian Jacobs, who heads the international team of researchers responsible for the project, said: "This trial has global implications for the quest to develop a screening technique that will reduce deaths from ovarian cancer by half within ten years.

"Alongside this, it is equally important that we persist in our efforts to identify the causes of ovarian cancer so that we can continue to provide new approaches to prevention, screening and treatment so as to reduce the mortality rate yet further."

Alex Ford, chief executive of the ovarian cancer research charity The Eve Appeal, which is supporting a number of crucial research projects including the screening trials, said: "British women have signed up to this programme to make sure that the question that has dogged us for decades will be answered.

"It is a hugely exciting time for everyone involved with ovarian cancer, largely because of the progress within this programme and the support of so many women."

The Eve Appeal was launched in January this year to raise £5m to support the work being carried out by Prof Jacobs and his colleagues.

The cash will be used to support his team's research into prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer and other gynaecological cancers.

To make a contribution to The Eve Appeal or to find out more, call 020 7380 6900 or visit www.eveappeal.org.uk