SEATTLE, Oct 18, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A study of 143 women in Senegal has shown that a simple urine test might provide an alternative to Pap screening for cervical cancer.

"More studies involving a much larger group of women need to be done, but we are hopeful about the potential of urine testing as a cost-effective and less invasive way to screen for cervical cancer," said study leader Dr. Nancy Kiviat, of Harborview Medical Center, at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Urine-based detection of abnormal methylation of three genes was used to identify women at risk of cervical cancer.

"In developing countries where Pap screening has not been established due to a lack of infrastructure, a urine-based approach to testing could have a huge impact," said Kiviat.

Cervical cancer is screened by using pelvic exams and Pap screens. Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women in most of the world.

Kiviat presented her findings at the American Association for Cancer Research Third Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research in Seattle.

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