SYDNEY, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Researchers in Australia have launched a new study to examine whether cervical cancer can be detected through a non-invasive blood test.
Led by the University of Queensland (UQ), the CLARITY cervical cancer study at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital will investigate the potential of blood biomarkers in the screening, monitoring and management of cervical cancer, according to a UQ statement released recently.
"The project has the potential to improve early detection, treatment responses and post-treatment surveillance, as well as support more personalized treatment approaches for women with cervical cancer," said Andreas Obermair, chief investigator at UQ's Queensland Center for Gynecological Cancer Research.
Despite advances in prevention and treatment, including the Gardasil vaccine, cervical cancer continues to impose significant physical, emotional and financial burdens on women worldwide, Obermair noted.
A reliable, non-invasive test could offer "a more accessible and acceptable alternative" to current cervical screening methods, particularly for women facing cultural, systemic or personal barriers to screening, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and culturally diverse communities, he said. ■
