Research suggests urine sample could replace smear test

Recent trials have found that urine testing was as effective at detecting the HPV virus as a smear test, which could be a potential game-changer at a time when the number of women attending smear tests in the UK has reached an all-time low.

In the trials, 104 women were asked to attend a colposcopy clinic to undergo the urine test and the conclusions were that it performed just as well as the conventional smear test for detecting the high-risk HPV virus.

Dr Emma Crosbie, lead researcher, said “We’re really very excited by this study, which we think has the potential to significantly increase participation rates for cervical cancer screening.

“Campaigns to encourage women to attend cervical screening have helped. The brilliant campaign by the late Jade Goody increased numbers of attendance by around 400,000 women.

“But sadly, the effects aren’t long lasting and participation rates tend to fall back after a while. We clearly need a more sustainable solution.”

She added that more extensive trials of the test were still needed before it could be recommended to the NHS.

Athena Lamnisos from charity Eve Appeal, said “Finding ways of screening that avoid the need for a physical test and use of a speculum is important.

“For women living with the impact of FGM or those who have suffered sexual abuse or live with conditions such as vaginismus, screening in a non-invasive way could be a game-changer for screening uptake.

“This research sounds like a promising early step but is some way off being rolled out through the NHS. In the meantime, women must continue to book their screening appointment when they’re called. It’s a life-saving test.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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