Queen Mary University scientists reveal smear test DIY alternative

The new method could be used as an alternative to the traditional smear test and would not require a doctor appointment and visit.

A non-invasive urine test could be used by women to detect their risk of developing cervical cancer without needing to visit the doctor.

Researchers from Queen Mary University have developed a way to identify pre-cancer lesions by analysing urine and vaginal samples that could be collected by women in the comfort of their own home.

The new method could be used as an alternative to the traditional smear test and would not require a doctor appointment and visit.

In the research outcome, the self-sampling test had proved popular with women taking part in the study.

This meant that it was likely to improve participation in cervical cancer screening programmes.

The research team is lead by Dr Belinda Nedjai, who is the Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Molecular Epidemiology Lab at Queen Mary University of London.

She explained that the initial use of the self-sampling is likely to be for women who do not attend clinic after a screening invitation and in countries without a cervical cancer screening programme.

Although the researchers believe that smear tests would continue in their current form in the near future, In the longer term, self-sampling could become the standard method for all screening tests.

Dr Nedjai said the test needed to be tried on more than 10,000 women before it could be offered on the NHS.

She predicted the at-home tests could be available via the health service in five years.

Originally on CityNews (City University of London).