A new cervical cancer test which researchers have been developing and testing could revolutionise cervical cancer screening in the future, offering cheaper and more accurate results.
The “epigenetics-based” test has outperformed current UK tests. In a screening trial recently conducted by Queen Mary University of London, found all cancers that developed in 15,744 women involved in the test.
The new test examines the chemical markers that sit on top of the DNA, rather than checking for patterns in the DNA genetic code. Researchers say it performed significantly better than the Pap smear or human papillomavirus (HPV) test.
The Pap smear, which is usually used to screen for cervical cancer, detected one-quarter of the cancers, while the HPV test detected half of the cancers in the group of women tested as part of the study.
Lead researcher Professor Attila Lorincz called it an ‘enormous development’.
He said: “We’re not only astounded by how well this test detects cervical cancer, but it is the first time that anyone has proven the key role of epigenetics in the development of a major solid cancer using data from patients in the clinic.
“This cervical cancer test picks up epigenetic changes, which is why it works so well”.
“This really is a huge advance in how to deal with HPV-infected women and men, numbering in the billions worldwide, and it is going to revolutionise screening in the future.”
Here at Harrow Health Care, we offer a cervical cancer screening service to our patients on a more regular basis than the current NHS service. Find out more about our service at https://harrowhealthcare.co.uk/our-services/cervical-screening-hpv-testing/
