Manchester based MedTech gains further adoption in Scotland following funding from Scottish Cervical Cancer charity

News
07/08/2018

Zilico, a medical technology company, based at Manchester Science Park continues to see the adoption of ZedScan™ expand, as the Michelle Henderson Cervical Cancer Trust, funds the purchase of two ZedScan devices at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s colposcopy unit, to help prevent women developing cervical cancer.


ZedScan is a unique adjunct diagnostic device that uses Electrical Impendence Spectroscopy (EIS) technology to identify cell changes that cannot always be seen during standard colposcopy. Changes in the cells of the cervix can lead to cervical cancer, but early detection of cell abnormalities and appropriate treatment can prevent cervical cancer from developing.


Michelle was just 26 when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2010. The diagnosis came as a shock to her whole family including her father, ex-Scotland football legend William “Willie” Henderson. Tragically, Michelle died of the disease just two years later, on her 28th birthday.


Since his daughter’s diagnosis, Willie has been a key fundraiser for the Michelle Henderson Cervical Cancer Trust. Michelle set up the organisation herself in the hope of raising awareness and funds towards hospital equipment, medicines and support for anyone diagnosed with the disease. It is in her memory that the charity is supporting the purchase of the ZedScan devices for Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.


The colposcopy unit at Aberdeen sees around 2500 new and returning patients each year and is led by Maggie Cruickshank, Professor of Gynaecology at the University of Aberdeen and one of the leading experts in HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which causes 99% of cervical cancers[i]. The Aberdeen University Research Centre for Women’s Health has led on research into improving the care of women with abnormal smears and HPV-related diseases for over 30 years. Having evaluated ZedScan in the unit, the findings were comparable to published data which shows 96.2% of all high-grade abnormalities are identified when ZedScan is used, helping to support better patient management.


The purchase of ZedScan for Aberdeen Royal Hospital comes as Mr Henderson sets to spend his 75th Birthday on a 100-mile trek across the Sahara Desert on behalf of the Michelle Henderson Cervical Cancer Trust. In addition, Jo’s Trust, the UK cervical cancer charity, continue to raise awareness through activities such as the Be Cervix Savvy Roadshow which recently visited local communities across Scotland, from Aberdeen to Edinburgh between 18th June - 27nd July 2018.