Surat, December 16, 2024: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in India, with at least 17,000 cases and 1,800 deaths related to cervical cancer reported in 2023 in Gujarat alone, according to data by National Cancer Registry Report 2023. Medical Practitioners worldwide have emphasised on early detection of cervical cancer. In line with this, DNA Wellness India Private Limited (DNA Wellness) will empower lakhs of women in Surat and South Gujarat region through its breakthrough innovation.
With the launch of ‘CERViSure’ Laboratory – a dedicated testing laboratory for cervical cancer screening in Surat, DNA Wellness on Monday announced its expansion in the Gujarat market. CERViSure lab will offer the DNA Ploidy Test, a groundbreaking diagnostic tool developed by the British Columbia Cancer Research Agency in Canada, whose exclusive rights have been recently acquired by DNA Wellness. Marketed under the brand name CERViSure, the test is a quick, accurate, and non-invasive method to detect cervical cancer, two years prior to any of the conventionally available methods.
The newly launched laboratory is situated at Universal Trade Centre on L. P. Savani Road in Surat. Centrally located, the laboratory will be equipped with ultra-modern technologies, highly qualified staff members for carrying out the CERViSure test. After Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Rajkot, Surat has been chosen to cater to the patient population of the South Gujarat region. The laboratory will be fully equipped to carry out some 200 tests per day, making it nearly 5,000 tests in a month.
A major breakthrough in cervical cancer detection, CERViSure test can help identify cancerous cells, about two years before conventional methods. The test also comes with greater accuracy with 100% specificity and 98% sensitivity. The CERViSure test is recommended at least once in three years for women between 20 and 60 years of age.
The test is performed by collecting a mucosal sample from the cervix using a specially designed non-invasive brush. The sample is then processed and analysed with AI-backed software, which compares the results of the test against a database of over 50 million patient samples to ensure high accuracy.
Commenting on the launch of CERViSure, Pathik Bhandari, Co-founder, DNA Wellness, said, “Bringing the unique technology of DNA Ploidy Test to India is our first step in the direction of realising our vision of a Cervical Cancer-free India. This will empower women across India by giving them access to early detection, thus, improving survival rates of affected patients. Starting with our home market of Gujarat, we will be establishing our dedicated laboratories across India to ensure the widest reach of CERViSure.”
Going forward, DNA wellness plans to set up some 100 dedicated CERViSure laboratories across India in a phased manner by 2027. It plans to collaborate with hospitals, clinics, and doctors to expand access to the DNA Ploidy Test, aiming to make it available nationwide.
Dr Hitendra Ayre, Gynecologic Oncologist said, “Cervical cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers among women in India, yet it is also one of the most preventable ones. Early detection is critical to saving lives, and the introduction of the DNA Ploidy Test as part of the CERViSure initiative is a significant advancement. With its high sensitivity and specificity, this test enables us to detect precancerous changes long before they develop into cervical cancer, giving women the opportunity for timely intervention and thus prevention.”
The most common factors that increase the risk of cervical cancer include a long-standing HPV infection especially due to a weakened immune system, obesity, smoking, use of contraceptive medications and giving birth to multiple children. While medical experts strongly advocate HPV Vaccination for better prevention, regular screening for cervical cancer is a must for every woman. Vaccination can surely reduce the risk of Cervical Cancer but it does not eliminate the need for regular screening which is recommended by medical practitioners.
“As we see rising incidences of cervical cancer, such innovations go a long way in improving outcomes and moving us closer to a future where no woman has to face this disease unchecked,” said Dr Ayre
CERViSure addresses this by providing an advanced screening option that can detect cancerous changes earlier and more accurately than traditional methods. Prevalent screening mechanisms cover PAP Smears (which have a sensitivity between 40-55%) and HPV DNA testing, which only detects the presence of certain types of HPV infection – an indicator of high cervical cancer risk but cannot confirm the presence of cancerous cells.
