Kenyan women can now privately collect their own samples for cervical cancer screening.A new screening DNA-based technology dubbed Cobas tests for the presence of a sexually transmitted virus which causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. Cobas gives a clear indication of a woman's risk of developing cancer,therefore, enhancing efforts to effectively combat the disease said Ahmed Kalabi, the managing director of Pathologists Lancet of Kenya. "Cobas specifically identifies 14 different high risks strains of the virus that are directly linked to pre-cancerous changes including type 16 and type 18 strains that cause over 70% of cervical cancer," said Ahmed.He also added that the new technology will make it possible for women to collect samples on their women with not necessarily involving a doctor or a nurse and results delivered confidentially via e-mail,SMS or mobile App. "Women can do so by simply swabbing the inner parts of the vagina using a soft collection device called an Evalyn brush,which is specifically customised and validated for this purpose," he stated.Cervical cancer screening is still lower than 10% despite being the most common cancer after breast cancer in the country. 

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