People thinking they might have endometriosis – a painful, often debilitating condition that impacts one in ten women – can soon approach their GP for two promising non-invasive tests. This news is particularly significant as the current wait for a diagnosis can stretch to nine years or even longer. Experts are optimistic that these tests will be a game-changer in the diagnosis and treatment of this distressing condition.
So, what’s on the table? One of these tests is a spit test that looks for specific genetic material, while the other measures electrical signals in the gut via sensor pads placed on the abdomen. Both of these tests are being recommended under new draft guidelines for the NHS in England and Wales, alongside routine checks. They aim to identify endometriosis, where cells similar to those in the womb lining grow in other parts of the body.
Ami Robertson, a 23-year-old from Glasgow, knows the struggle all too well. She suffered from endometriosis pain from the age of 16 but was continuously misdiagnosed, often told it was something like irritable bowel syndrome. “No one should have to wait years to be believed,” she shared, recalling the countless visits to the GP. She ultimately had to pay for private checks that finally confirmed her diagnosis, leading to necessary surgery. It’s heart-wrenching to think how many women like Ami have had to endure unnecessary pain and doubt.
The saliva test, known as Endotest, is already in use within a pilot NHS study. On the other hand, Endosure, the gut electrical signal test, is part of a clinical trial at the Worcestershire Acute NHS Hospital Trust. Women undergoing the gut test must fast for six to eight hours beforehand then drink water for 45 minutes during the test. This new draft recommendation means GPs can start offering either or both tests to patients, though not every GP will have immediate access, and usage will need oversight from professionals skilled in endometriosis diagnosis.
It’s important to note that neither test is designed to serve as standalone diagnostic tools. However, they should help in speeding up the diagnosis and treatment processes. Currently, the usual method for diagnosing endometriosis within the NHS relies on a surgical procedure called laparoscopy, which involves general anesthesia.
Emma Cox, the chief executive of Endometriosis UK, has welcomed these new tests, emphasizing the urgency for women who have faced long waits for a diagnosis to step forward. The sentiment is echoed by Emma Barnett, who highlights the plight of countless women suffering in silence, stating, “We can’t ignore this disease that leaves one in ten women like me in agony.”
As research progresses, there’s even speculation that endometriosis could potentially be diagnosed through a blood test in the future. For now, these new tests provide a glimmer of hope for quicker, less invasive diagnoses, but the journey to awareness and understanding is still ongoing. Will this be the breakthrough that millions have been waiting for?
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber