Scientists at Trinity College, Dublin, have developed a new test for detecting cervical cancer, it emerged today.
The team, headed by Professor John O'Leary, claims the discovery is more accurate and faster than current tests used to identify the disease.
By identifying abnormal genes that show the presence of the cancer, they claim to be able to reliably identify abnormal cells and give an indicator of their seriousness.
The research has already been tested in two Dublin hospitals but the scientists now want it to be subjected to a full trial involving up to 2,000 women. They claim to be the only team in the world using particular biomarker methods.
Professor O'Leary, whose team has been working on the project for five years, does not intend to patent the discovery. His findings will be published tomorrow by the Health Research Board.
Around 60 women die from cervical cancer every year in Ireland. A further 10,000 are diagnosed with an abnormal smear test.