A groundbreaking blood test that can detect up to 90 percent of cases of endometriosis has been developed by UK scientists and is expected to be available soon.
The illness, which affects one in 10 women, occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body.
The simple test, developed by MDNA Life Sciences and Oxford University, detects tiny DNA fragments in the blood within days.
Presently, diagnosis typically takes seven-and-a-half years from the first onset of symptoms, because they are often similar to other common conditions, according to the charity Endometriosis UK.
Endometriosis can be extremely painful and can lead to infertility, fatigue, and bowel or bladder problems.
The test is expected to be available privately in the UK in nine months for about £250 ($328). It is unclear when the test will be available in the US.
Dr. Christian Becker, from the Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health at the University of Oxford, said:
“Endometriosis not only causes enormous suffering to the affected women but also brings a tremendous medical and economic burden to bear on society,” he said.
“There is a long lag phase between the onset and diagnosis of the disease, mainly due to its non-specific symptoms and because it can only be diagnosed invasively by laparoscopy.
“A specific, non-invasive test to aid diagnosis of endometriosis is certainly an unmet clinical need.”
Endometriosis is the second most common gynecological condition after fibroids and can affect fertility.
Harry Smart, MDNA Life Sciences’ chairman said: “We are the only company to use mitochondrial DNA to detect diseases and have developed a library of 16,000 biomarkers to date.
“Our groundbreaking test for endometriosis will fundamentally change the way this debilitating disease is detected and diagnosed.”
