Scientists from Austria, England and Sweden have developed a new test that detects precancerous changes in the cervix. years before they become diseased, that is, much earlier than the tests used hitherto.

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This is a procedure that “works better than currently available methods and detects changes over the years before development
(cervical) cancer,” the University of Innsbruck (Austria) reported in a statement issued on Wednesday.

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The new test has been developed under the direction of Martin Widschwendter, professor of cancer prevention and detection at the Austrian university, in collaboration with University College London and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

The results of the study have been published in the special journal “Genome Medicine”. The note reminded that the control method applied to date is a cytological test that identifies abnormal cells in the cervix.

Depending on the type of cell change, other tests are then performed to take a closer look at the evolution or the altered cells are removed before they become invasive cancer.

On the other hand, the new test, called “WID-CIN” and based on genetic analysis, “detects precancerous lesions even when there are still no visible changes under the microscope and, therefore, will allow for more specific screening”, highlights the University Innsbruck. “WID-CIN” examines cervical (womb) cells for changes in genetic material known as DNA methylation, which are likely influenced by environmental factors.

“These changes, called epigenetics, can increase the risk of certain diseases, such as cancer,” the statement recalls. Researchers hope to use it not only to detect cervical cancer precursors, but also to predict the risk of other forms of cancer in the future.

“Our work has shown that in addition to detecting cervical precursors, testing (WID-CIN) samples from the cervix can also provide information about a woman’s risk of three other types of disease.
cancers, such as breast, ovarian and uterine cancers,” Widschwendter said in a statement.

The study examined a sample of 1,254 women included in a cervical screening program in the Swedish region of Stockholm.

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The test detects more than half of women infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV). which has yet to show visible cellular changes, but where a clear precancerous stage develops in the next four years, says a note from the Austrian university.

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