A new cheaper diagnostic device and a simple test developed by Indian scientists could provide a helping hand in the mass screening and early detection of cervical cancer, the most common type of the disease in the country."We have developed a cancerous lesion visualising device called Magnivisualiser. It is a low-cost device, which could be used even if there was no electricity," said Bhudev Das, Director of the Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology in Uttar Pradesh's Noida.
Another method they have discovered is a new Paper Smear test to detect cervix or uterine cancer. "It is the simplest, easiest and most cost-effective method involving the use of filter paper strips, instead of the existing method that is costly," he told PTI.
"These techniques would help us in detecting 70 per cent of the cases in the early stages," he said.
"For a developing country like ours we need low-cost diagnostic devices and methods to detect cervical cancer at an early stage before it becomes life threatening," he said.
He said as most women in rural areas find it difficult to afford cancer screening, their preventive techniques would help in bringing the cancer cases down.
Every year about 1.30 lakh new cases of cervical cancer are detected, while 70-80,000 women die of this disease every year in the country, Das said.
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