They found that uterine cancer could be detected …

British scientists have announced a new breakthrough in early detection of uterine cancer: a simple urine test, much less painful and invasive than the tests currently available, which would reveal signs of this disease.

Currently, the test consists of perform a biopsy, that is, taking a sample of cells by tearing the inside of the uterus. It is a painful procedure, which 31% of patients have to repeat due to technical problems or intolerable pain that makes the examination difficult.

A team of scientists from the University of Manchester has successfully developed a new detection tool, based on the urine or vaginal discharge sample, which women can take home.

According to this study, published in the journal Nature Communications, the new system correctly diagnosed 91.7% of women who actually had cancer endometrial cancer, or cancer of the body of the uterus, different from cancer of the cervix, detected by simple cytology.

For women without endometrial cancer, the test was 88.9% effective in diagnosing them as negative.

“Our results show that uterine cancer cells can be detected in urine and vaginal samples using a microscope, “ explained Professor Emma Crosbie, director of the study.

This method could be used to “Detect people suspected of having uterine cancer” and have them examined thoroughly if the test is positive. “Those who test negative will have peace of mind without having to undergo unpleasant, invasive, anxiety-provoking and expensive procedures,” he said.

This “promising” study, covering to date 216 women, 103 of whom suspected or knew to have uterine cancer, should be “confirmed in a larger study”, said this expert in gynecological oncology.

The endometrial cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women, with around 382,000 new diagnoses and 89,900 deaths from the disease worldwide in 2018.

Most women are treated soon after the first symptoms appear – including bleeding after menopause – but 20% of those diagnosed with advanced disease have only a 15% chance of living over 5 years.