Cancer device in trials

A screening device for cervical cancer and pre-cancer, developed by Australian company Polartechnics in collaboration with CSIRO, has entered final clinical trials for regulatory approval for use in Europe.

Over half a million women worldwide are affected by cervical cancer every year and Polartechnics' system has the potential of reducing mortality rates through higher accuracy and instant diagnosis. Trials conducted last year demonstrated it is significantly more accurate than the Pap smear. These tests were done using an interim product and a subset of the female population, those who had already returned a positive Pap smear.

The present trials are being done on the commercial product and are designed to be representative of the entire female population at risk of cervical cancer. The system uses a pen-like probe to collect information directly from the cervix about the colour and electrical properties of cervical tissue. A single-use sensor, which is a plastic sheath that fits over the probe and is used only once, ensures that the process is safe and hygienic.

A computer attached to the probe analyses the data and classifies the tissue as healthy, pre-cancerous or cancerous.