WID-easy Endometrial Cancer Test in Leeds and Sheffield

What Is the WID-easy Test?

The WID-easy test is a non-invasive, DNA-methylation swab test that helps triage the risk of endometrial (womb) cancer in women with abnormal or post-menopausal bleeding. It is a triage aid used alongside clinical assessment - it does not diagnose cancer, and your result is always interpreted by a clinician.

The swab looks for abnormal changes in genes within the cell sample - changes linked to endometrial cancer. The sample is analysed in a laboratory using quantitative PCR, giving an objective, measurable result [1].

Womb (endometrial) cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK, with around 10,000 women diagnosed each year [2]. Most abnormal or post-menopausal bleeding is not caused by cancer - but because so many women are affected, any unusual bleeding always needs checking. Womb cancer is very treatable when caught early, so it is important not to delay getting abnormal bleeding assessed.

WID-easy is a UKCA-marked, MHRA-registered test made by Sola Diagnostics and available in the UK [3]. It represents an advance in deciding who needs invasive investigation and who may safely avoid it, offering an objective way to guide that decision.

Who Is the WID-easy Test For?

The WID-easy test is suitable for peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women who are experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding. You may benefit from the test if you have:

• Post-menopausal bleeding (any bleeding 12 months or more after your last period)
• Irregular, prolonged or unexpectedly heavy bleeding during the peri-menopause
• Spotting or bleeding between periods as you approach the menopause
• New, unusual or persistent unexplained vaginal bleeding
• A thickened womb lining (endometrium) found on ultrasound, where you want to understand your risk before further investigation
• Been referred for a hysteroscopy and want to understand whether the procedure is likely to be necessary for you

Abnormal bleeding is common and is usually caused by non-cancerous conditions, but it can occasionally be an early sign of womb cancer. If you are approaching or have passed the menopause and notice unexplained bleeding, it is important to have your symptoms assessed. You can explore this and related care through our Women's Health department in Leeds and Sheffield.

How the WID-easy Test Works

The WID-easy test involves a short swab, laboratory analysis and a conversation with your clinician about what your result means. There are three simple stages:

The swab. During a brief clinic appointment, your clinician gently takes a swab sample from the vagina and behind the cervix using a speculum. The sampling itself takes less than 10 seconds.

Laboratory analysis. Your sample is sent to a designated UK laboratory, where the DNA methylation of the GYPC and ZSCAN12 genes is measured using quantitative PCR [1]. This produces an objective, numerical result rather than a subjective assessment.

Your clinician discusses your result. A negative result means you are at very low risk of womb cancer and may be able to avoid the need for further invasive investigation. A positive result means you are at higher risk and will be prioritised for prompt further assessment, usually a hysteroscopy. Either way, a clinician interprets your result alongside your symptoms and medical history.

What to Expect at Your WID-easy Appointment

Before your appointment. To help ensure a good-quality sample, please avoid sexual intercourse for 24 hours beforehand and avoid vaginal lubricants (prescribed creams such as estradiol can be continued as normal). Contact our team if you have had a cervical smear or PAP test within 72 hours of your appointment, as we may need to reschedule. No fasting is required. You are welcome to bring a friend or partner, though children are not permitted in the appointment room.

During your appointment. The appointment usually takes only a few minutes. You will complete a short questionnaire before being seen, then your clinician takes the swab using a speculum. The test is usually quick and well tolerated, though brief, mild discomfort is possible. You can ask your clinician to stop at any point.

After your appointment. No aftercare is needed and you can carry on with your day as normal. Results are typically available within a few days, and a member of our team will contact you to discuss your result and next steps.

Your Results and Next Steps

You will never be left to interpret your WID-easy result alone - our team contacts you directly with a clear plan.

A negative result means you are at very low risk of womb cancer, and further invasive investigation is often not immediately necessary. Your clinician will discuss appropriate next steps with you.

A positive result means you are at higher risk and will be contacted promptly to arrange further assessment, typically a hysteroscopy. We will make sure you are seen without unnecessary delay.

If you receive a negative result but your symptoms continue or change, please contact us. Ongoing symptoms should always be assessed, regardless of a previous test result.

How Accurate Is the WID-easy Test?

In a UK study of women aged 45 and over with abnormal uterine bleeding (the EPI-SURE study, published in The Lancet Oncology), using the WID-easy test to guide care reduced the number of women needing an invasive hysteroscopy by around 90%, while detecting the same womb cancers as standard ultrasound-led assessment [1]. In that study the test picked up around 91% of womb cancers and had a negative predictive value of 99.7% [1].

No medical test is 100% accurate, and the WID-easy test is a triage tool rather than a diagnosis. There is a small possibility of a false negative, which is why your clinician always interprets the result alongside your full symptom history and clinical picture. If your symptoms persist after a negative result, they should still be reviewed.

Why Choose LivingCare for Endometrial Cancer Testing in Leeds and Sheffield

Exceptional care, without the wait - here is what to expect when you choose LivingCare:

• Private access, no GP referral needed - book directly and be seen quickly, self-pay or insurance
• Fast results - your swab is analysed at a designated UK laboratory, with results typically within a few days
• Evidence-based triage - the WID-easy test reduced invasive hysteroscopies by around 90% in a UK study of women aged 45 and over with abnormal bleeding, while detecting the same cancers as standard assessment [1]
• Expert clinical support - your result is always reviewed and explained by an experienced clinician, with a clear plan for next steps
• Compassionate, unhurried care - any worry about cancer can be frightening; our team takes your symptoms seriously and supports you throughout
• Clinics in Leeds and Sheffield - at Thorpe Park Clinic in Leeds and Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield, with clear, transparent pricing and convenient locations across Yorkshire

If you are worried about abnormal or post-menopausal bleeding, you do not have to wait. Book privately - no GP referral needed.

References

1. Reisel D, et al. - Performance of the WID-qEC test versus sonography to detect uterine cancers in women with abnormal uterine bleeding (EPI-SURE): a prospective, consecutive observational cohort study in the UK. The Lancet Oncology, 2023
2. Cancer Research UK - Uterine cancer statistics
3. Sola Diagnostics - IVD UKCA marking for the WID-easy test