UC doctor patenting first at-home endometriosis diagnostic test

The road to a diagnosis has been challenging for many women. Historically, the only way to get diagnosed has been through an invasive surgical procedure. 

But a prominent University of Cincinnati College of Medicine researcher has developed a noninvasive diagnostic test that could make a difference. It was recently featured on WBNS 10 TV in Columbus.

Once the fluid is collected at home, it would then be sent for analysis and, hopefully, a diagnosis.

Burns said it's important that a noninvasive procedure like this is developed, because right now, a definitive diagnosis usually has to come through surgery.

“Now, if women have endometriosis that is on their ovary and they have an endometrioma, which is relatively large, that can be picked up by ultrasound or CT, MRI type of scans," she said. "But in general, most often, endometriosis is not picked up superficially.”

Burns herself lives with endometriosis and had trouble getting diagnosed when she was younger.

“I went to many doctors after doctors, and it took me 10 years to get a diagnosis because I was told it was in my head, I was making it up,” she said.

Burns' younger sister, Annie, also has endometriosis, as do their close friends, twin sisters Rebekah (Becca) Slafka and Sarah Fisher.

In fact, Burns said if a woman has a mother or sister with endometriosis, she’s five to seven times more likely to develop it herself. However, no single gene has been identified as the root cause.

From a young age, Fisher said she and her sister knew the health problems they could face, since their mother also suffered from endometriosis.

"When we started having our period and menstruating, our mom recognized the symptoms very quickly,” said Fisher.

Slafka and Fisher later opened Restore Center for Pelvic Health and Wellness, a pelvic floor physical therapy center in Lebanon, Ohio.

"It's built for women who have endometriosis or whatever chronic pain condition you have," said Fisher. "No matter what that looks like, we're your people."

As endometriosis awareness month comes to an end, both Burns and Fisher want women to know that they do not have to suffer in silence anymore.

“I'm proud to know people like Katie are working on ways that make it so that my daughter will not have to go through an invasive procedure and probably seven to 10 years of getting the runaround with doctors to get diagnosed," said Fisher. "That she can in the privacy of her own home, collect a specimen to take to her doctor to get diagnosed. That's a huge step. As a mom with a daughter, that's a huge step.”

The diagnostic test will need to be prescribed to a woman by a health care provider. This technology is currently in the patenting and financing phase. Burns is working with UC's 1819 Innovation Hub. 

Featured image at top: iStock.