Lay summary
Significant health and equity issues exist in endometrial cancer (EC; womb or uterus cancer) incidence and mortality for Māori and Pacific women in Aotearoa.
Microbial communities (microbiome) in the endometrium, vagina and EC are potentially linked, and an anaerobic bacteria (grows without oxygen), Porphyromonas somerae has been found to be associated with EC in overseas studies.
We are collaborating with overseas researchers to examine whether this bacteria can be detected, alongside changes in pH, on vaginal swabs and endometrial samples in a large and diverse population in Aotearoa; Māori, Pacific and non-Maori non-Pācific women.
If P. somerae is found to be a biomarker for EC, this raises the possibility of early detection by a minimally invasive and accessible screening test (vaginal self-test) in the future, with the ultimate aim of addressing EC inequities.