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The urine test could be as effective as the smear to prevent cancer of the cervix, according to a new study by scientists from the University of Manchester.
The study, led by Dr. Emma Crosbie and published in BMJ Open, found that urine tests were as effective as cervical smears in detecting high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes cancer of the cervix.
The research team said a urine test could help increase the number of women screened for cervical cancer, which affects more than 3,000 women each year in the UK.
The research was funded by the NIHR Biomedical Research Center in Manchester.
Urine tests could also play a role in developing countries, where cervical cancer is up to 15 times more common and smear tests virtually non-existent.
The NHS cervical screening program is testing the so-called "high-risk" types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the health of cervical cells in women whose HPV test is positive high risk.
About 1 in 20 women have abnormal changes that may eventually become cancer and are referred for colposcopy, where the cervix is examined under magnification allowing the abnormal areas to be seen, sampled and treated, even before they cause cancer.
According to the team, cervical smear samples, self-collected badl samples, and urine samples are all effective in detecting high-risk HPV infection.
Cervical cancer is more common in women aged 30 to 35 years. But the precancerous stage is detectable in the 5 to 10 years that preceded, when nearly a third of women do not show up for their smear.
"We are very excited about this study which, in our opinion, could potentially significantly increase participation rates in cervical cancer screening in a key demographic group," said Dr. Emma Crosbie.
"Many young women avoid the NHS cervical cancer screening program because they find it embarrbading or uncomfortable, especially if they have gynecological conditions such as endometriosis."
She added, "Campaigns to encourage women to participate in cervical cancer screening have been helpful." The brilliant Jade Goody campaign has increased the number of participants by nearly 400,000 women.
"But unfortunately, the effects are not sustainable and participation rates tend to decline after a while.We clearly need a more sustainable solution."
Of the hundred types of HPV, some are related to cervical cancer and others, such as bad warts.
Most cervical cancers are caused by the high-risk types HPV-16 and HPV-18.
104 women attending the colposcopy clinic at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester participated in the study and were screened using two branded HPV test kits.
About two-thirds of women were tested positive for any type of high-risk HPV and one-third for HPV 16 or 18.
Of this total, eighteen women had pre-cancerous cervical changes requiring treatment.
With the Roche HPV Test Kit, urine, 15 auto-badl samples and cervical smears were collected.
With the Abbott HPV Screening Kit, urine collected 15 of these samples, as well as badl self-samples and 16 cervical smears.
Dr. Crosbie said, "These results provide exciting evidence that HPV urinary testing can detect pre-cervical precancer cells, but we need to test it on more women before we can use it in the NHS, we hope it will happen soon.
"Urine is very simple to collect and most hospitals in developed and developing countries have access to laboratory equipment for sample processing and testing.
"Let's hope this is a new chapter in our fight against cervical cancer, a devastating and pernicious disease."
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Notes for editors
Dr. Crosbie is available to comment
A video featuring Dr. Crosbie is available
For media inquiries, contact:
Mike Addelman
Media Relations Officer
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
University of Manchester
0161 275 2111
07717 881567
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