For the first time, Krebs diagnosed a new diagnostic method with 100% accuracy

Gen-test revolutionizes cancer diagnostics

A new test for the diagnosis of cervical cancer is currently causing a stir in the medical world. The new gene test detected over 15,000 women all cervical cancers and is therefore not only more effective, but also more favorable than all common tests - including the cell smear (Pap test) and the Papillomavirus test (HPV). The English research team speaks of a revolutionary result.

In a clinical screening study, researchers from the English Queen Mary University of London tested the effectiveness of a new gene test for the diagnosis of cervical cancer in 15,744 women. The spectacular result: the test detected tumor disease in 100 percent of the cases. Unlike other tests, the new method looks for chemical markers in the DNA that uniquely identify the cancer. The research results were recently published in the International Journal of Cancer.

A new gene test for the early detection of cervical cancer could soon revolutionize cancer diagnostics. The test reliably detected all cervical cancers in more than 15,000 women. (Image: fotoliaxrender / fotolia.com)

Genetics as a key to cancer isolation

"This is a huge development," said senior researcher Professor Attila Lorincz in a press release on the study's findings. Not only were the researchers amazed at how well this test uncovers cervical cancer, they also showed for the first time the key role of epigenetics in cancer diagnosis. "We're seeing more and more evidence that epigenetics can detect a range of early-stage cancers, including cervical cancer, anal cancer, pharyngeal cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer," says the professor.

Better than the Pap smear

The test was able to predict the development of cervical cancer for participating women up to five years in advance. As the researchers report, screening for cervical cancer prevention is typically performed by the Pap smear. However, this only recognizes cervical cancer in about 50 percent of cases. The recognition rate of the new gene test, however, is 100 percent.

Better than the HPV test

The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered a risk factor for the development of cervical cancer. To detect if a person is infected with HPV, an early HPV test is performed. According to the researchers, however, this test only recognizes the presence of the viruses and not the actual cancer risk, which remains low despite the virus. This leads to unnecessary uncertainty in the majority of HPV-infected women.

Revolutionary screening

Professor Lorincz explains that the new gene test reduces the number of screening appointments required. "This is really a huge step forward that will revolutionize the screening," said the expert. Millions of HPV-infected women and men will benefit from this. Even difficult to detect cancers such as adenocarcinoma could be clearly identified by the test.

When will the new test be available?

"The new test is much better than anything currently offered, but it can take at least five years to establish it," says Lorincz. The authors are sure that this test will prevail, as it is cheaper and more effective than the Pap smear and will provide by the efficient early detection for huge cost savings. (Vb)