Cancer: Research shows potential advantage of urine screening methods
American scientists have discovered that urine samples could be used to screen for cervical cancer. Research conducted by the University of Washington, showed that invasive cervical cancer could be identified by searching for specific gene patterns in urine samples.
Examining the urine of 143 Senegalese women, the researchers were able to detect invasive tumours with 90% accuracy and non-invasive cancers with 53% accuracy.
The urine samples were tested for the presence of four genes, which according to previous research by the same group of scientists, could be detected in swabs and tissue samples from the cervix when a tumour was present.
While current screening systems such as Pap smear tests and liquid-based cytology give a more accurate result, the discovery has been cited as a possible breakthrough in identifying cervical cancer among women in poorer countries, said Dr Nick Coleman, group lead researcher at the Medical Research Council Cancer Cell Unit in Cambridge.
"The developing world cannot afford to adopt the kind of tests that we have in the West. We need something that can be done very cheaply," he said.
Further studies are currently underway to examine whether searching for other genes would improve the accuracy of the test.
Dr Nancy Kiviat, who led the research, said: "More studies involving a much larger group of women need to be done, but we are hopeful about the potential of urine testing as a cost-effective and less invasive way to screen for cervical cancer."
Meanwhile, Dr Anne Szarewski of GlaxoSmithKline, has predicted that a vaccine for cervical cancer will be available within the next five years. She revealed that trials of the injection were advanced and have been highly successful.
