With the new device called the Bio probe being developed, screening women for cervical cancer could be made lot easier." The Bio-probe has to be inserted into the vagina, and the woman herself can do it. The probe remains inserted for 10 seconds while it measures electrical resistance.
It is so small that women would feel more comfortable using the device than with than taking up the routine Pap smear that is being done. The Pap procedure is currently the best way to prevent cervical cancer, yet many women continue to put it off because of the complex instrumentation involved with it. Infact of women being diagnosed as having cervical cancer, almost half of them have never had a Pap smear.
Pap tests can detect abnormal cells that lead to cervical cancer but the Bio - probe works on a different principle." It's believed that as the normal tissues progress from normal to cancer, the amount of blood and fluid in the tissues increases, and that causes a decrease in electrical resistance," The Bio-probe measures this difference in the electrical resistance.
What is even more promising is that one need not run to a doctor to get the test done. It can be done by the patient at home conveniently. Over the next six months to 12 months, researchers will gather data to figure out whether the probe is as effective as a Pap test. If it is, this small device could make a big difference.
The bio-probe was originally created to measure changes in the menstrual cycle and has been used to help couples with infertility. Temple University will also look at using this technology to help prevent premature births by measuring cervical abnormalities.