Non-invasive home test kit aims to end smear test trauma
1 Jul 2024
A university PhD student has developed a non-invasive home test kit that she hopes will free women from the need for painful and intrusive smear tests.
Postgraduate researcher Sânziana Foia’s PapCup product, produced by her start-up company of the same name, can provide screening for potentially cancer-causing HPV strains in menstrual blood within 15 minutes, she claims.
NHS data has suggested a significant minority of women in the UK have avoided smear testing because of the pain and embarrassment involved in the clinical process.
Also, those women aged under 25 are not routinely invited for smear testing, further increasing the possibility that symptoms of cervical cancer will not be spotted early
Foia (pictured) was aided in her endeavour by the University of Edinburgh Venture Builder Indicator (VBI), which aids doctoral students and early-career researchers within the UK with start-up development.
The programme mentors participants and provides investors and advisors from its local network. Cancer Research UK innovation engine Cancer Research Horizons, has partnered with the VBI to support up to 10 teams, including Papcup.
Foia, now studying for a doctorate in bioengineering at Imperial College London, said:
“One of the best elements of the VBI programme was that the programme gave concrete, practical support. For example, when I needed help with the electronics for Papcup, the team helped me find a contractor. The networking was of high quality and connected me with all the right people. I welcome fellow researchers and innovators to take full advantage of the support provided by VBI and its partners.”
Foia is now gauging interest in the system through a website that can take pre-orders to help demonstrate demand for the device to potential investors and the National Health Service (NHS).
VBI is currently recruiting students and researchers for the fifth cohort of its programme, which includes a special focus on health and social care start-up companies.
Programme manager Andrew Parfery said VBI would seek academics with ideas that meet needs within health and social care. Applications for the fifth cohort of the programme close on 15 July.
