Doctors aim for single test to detect risk of four cancers in women

Europe-wide trial launched in attempt to develop test similar to cervical smear, but also checking for ovarian, womb and some forms of breast cancer

Doctors have raised the possibility of a single screening test which could detect the risk of four different cancers in women, raising hopes of catching them early and saving lives.

A four-year Europe-wide trial was announced on Monday with the aim of developing a test similar to the current simple cervical smear, which will identify a woman's risk of developing cervical, ovarian, womb or certain sorts of aggressive breast cancer.