Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a test that analyses cells from urine and vaginal fluid samples to detect womb cancer. The aim is to spare many women invasive and painful examinations such as biopsies and hysteroscopies.
The study, called DETECT, involved 1,864 women who went to hospital with post-menopausal bleeding. The test identified more than 80% of cancers and was 98.8% reliable at ruling out the disease. It also detected more than 95% of the most aggressive tumours.
Only 5 to 10% of women investigated for this symptom actually have cancer. The results were published in the journal Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women’s Health. The researchers say more studies are needed before the test can be used routinely.
