Urine test is ‘highly accurate’ at detecting early stages of cervical cancer

A NEW urine test has proved "highly reliable" at detecting cervical cancer - and could one day replace smear tests.

It shows up any sign of the HPV virus, which can trigger the disease.

Specialists at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore said the test is 90.9 per cent accurate in identifying so-called CIN2 lesions - which harbour abnormal cells.

These cells are to only likely to develop into cancer, but into a form of the disease that is likely to spread.

It is able to analyse multiple sources of human cellular DNA that is altered by precancerous changes.

And it can also identify DNA from HPV - the sexually transmitted virus responsible for almost all cases of the disease.

Dr Rafael Guerrero-Preston, who led the study, said: "If further studies confirm these findings, we see a significant use of urine screening as a way to quickly and inexpensively determine if a biopsy is warranted or if physicians can use 'watch and wait' approach before intervening."

He said typically a woman who tests positive for HPV and has an abnormal smear test will undergo a biopsy to rule out cervical cancer.

If further studies confirm these findings, we see a significant use of urine screening as a way to quickly and inexpensively determine if a biopsy is warranted

Dr Rafael Guerrero-Preston

But, past research has shown around half of these biopsies are unnecessary and can result in pain, worry and infertility.

Dr Guerrero-Preston said: "Our urine test would serve as a molecular triage at times supplementing Pap test results."

He said the idea of a urine test for cervical cancer would be particularly useful in developing countries where they don't have the money, medical infrastructure or cultural approval for smear tests.

The new findings build on work by the Johns Hopkins team, that identified three genes linked to cervical cancer or abnormal cells - FKBP6, INTS1 and ZNF516.

Dr Guerrero-Preston said when developing a cancer screening test, experts want something in the range of 90 to 95 per cent sensitivity.

According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, 84 per cent of cervical cancers occur in less developed countries, with the highest rates in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

In the US, cervical cancer used to be the highest cause of cancer deaths in women until the introduction of the smear test more than 40 years ago.

The findings are published online in Cancer Prevention Research.