A new process has been developed which could have a significant impact on the way in which cervical cancer is detected.

Research set to be published in next month's issue of Radiology shows that by using a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system in conjunction with a vaginal coil the disease may be easier to identify in its earlier stages.

In addition, the author of the study, Dr Nandita deSouza, said that it may also be possible to spot tumours which may have otherwise gone undetected due to their size.

"Small lesions are often difficult to image, but imaging their full extent is important in surgical planning," she said.

"By adding this technique to image the diffusion, or movement, of water within tissue, we can improve the accuracy of detecting small tumours."

The research was conducted over a 22-month period and looked at 59 women between the ages of 24 and 83. The patients then underwent a high-resolution MRI scan with a specially designed vaginal coil that was positioned around the cervix.

Dr deSouza added that by imaging the cervix and the diffusion of water within its tissue cells, they were able to differentiate between cervical cancers and glandular linings.

In other news, Sweden's Karolinska Institute in Stockholm recently suggested new evidence had been found to suggest eating yoghurt could help people avoid bladder cancer.

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• Annual report finds cancer initiative a success 04/12/08
• Study: Cervical cancer vaccine proves successful in treating genital warts 13/11/08
• Cervical cancer screening strategy strengths and weaknesses explored in study 01/10/08
• GSK to supply cervical cancer vaccine for national campaign 23/06/08
• Study reinforces new hope for earlier cervical cancer detection 28/05/08

• CERVARIX - 51.93%
  CERVARIX is indicated for the prevention of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN grades 2 and 3) and cervical cancer causally related to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18. The indication is based on demonstration of efficacy in women aged 15-25 years following vaccination with ...
  
  
• GARDASIL - 42.64%
  Gardasil is a vaccine for the prevention of high-grade cervical dysplasia (CIN 2/3), cervical carcinoma, high-grade vulvar dysplastic lesions (VIN 2/3), and external genital warts (condyloma acuminata) causally related to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18. The indication is based on ...