URINE TEST FOR CANCER PROMISING

A simple urine test for ovarian cancer that could radically improve survival rates is on the horizon.

Researchers at the University of Hull have discovered a protein present in the tissue of women who have early stage ovarian cancer when there are no symptoms.

Often women don’t realize they have the disease until it’s too late. Many are diagnosed at stage 3, when one in five will survive for five years. But the new test could spot cancer as early as stage 1, when there’s a 90 per cent chance of survival.

Dr. Barbara Guinn, head of the university’s biomedical sciences department, said they had shown it works in tissue samples, are conducting more tests and, if successful, hope to make it available within three years.

“Early detection is the holy grail. The research shows extreme promise,” said Annwen Jones, CEO of Target Ovarian Cancer.