A WARWICK resident is developing an early diagnosis blood test for pancreatic cancer patients as part of a program designed to increase women in the workforce.
Yuliya Karpievitch is one of 10 women who received an Ignition Scholarship from the Department of Communities, which she has used to fund her research at UWA into developing the blood test.
As part of the scholarship, Ms Karpievitch took part in the Curtin Growth Ignition Program that included practical teaching sessions, mentor sessions and advice and support from leading entrepreneurs.
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READ NOWThe UWA research fellow said developing an early diagnostic blood test for pancreatic or any other cancer was essential for successful treatment.
“Pancreatic cancer is the 11th most common in the world and the third most common cause of cancer-related death,” she said.
“This was primarily because there wasn’t an early diagnostic test and early stages of the cancer were asymptomatic.”
To date, 49 women have attended the Curtin Growth Ignition Program and in 2012, 18 per cent of participants were women, which increased in 2017 to 53 per cent.
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