AI blood test ‘PinPoint’ could transform womb cancer diagnosis in UK

Thousands of women in the UK could avoid invasive womb cancer tests thanks to a new AI-powered blood test.

Researchers trialled PinPoint on 16,481 women in Yorkshire hospitals. The test analyses blood markers with AI to assess cancer risk. Results showed 99% accuracy in both detecting gynaecological cancers and correctly ruling out the disease.

Womb cancer affects about 9,700 women a year in the UK, but more than 90,000 are sent for transvaginal ultrasound scans annually to check for it. The study says the test could help in two ways: high-risk patients could be diagnosed faster and potentially at an earlier stage, while low-risk patients could avoid unnecessary invasive scans.

Another advantage is speed of rollout. “The software can be deployed rapidly … without the need for additional hardware,” researchers said.

Womb cancer is the fourth most common cancer in UK women. Experts say an accurate, simple blood test could significantly improve the patient experience and reduce pressure on hospital scanning services.