Roche launches new cervical cancer screening test

Roche has announced the launch of CINtec Plus, a new fully automated cytology test for use in cervical cancer screening applications.

The new test helps to identify women with high-grade precancerous cervical lesions who need immediate colposcopy and can be used to improve the detection and early intervention of cervical disease that could develop into cancer.

When compared with to the traditional pap smear technique, the CINtec Plus cytology test is significantly more effective in detecting cervical pre-cancer. It is being made available in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Canada.

More than 500,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year worldwide, with around half of these cases becoming terminal. However, the disease is preventable through routine screening if women with precancerous lesions can be treated before cancer develops.

Roland Diggelmann, chief operating officer at Roche Diagnostics, said: "With the launch of the fully automated CINtec Plus Cytology Kit, Roche has the most comprehensive cervical cancer screening portfolio in the industry, helping to protect women from cervical cancer and from overtreatment."

This comes after the company was granted European CE Mark approval for a new test for HIV earlier this week.