WOMEN’S HEALTH
disease. In this case, emerging blood-based biomarkers offer the potential for detection years before cognitive symptoms emerge, yet integration into care pathways that support earlier therapeutic intervention, or prevention, remains a significant barrier. A systems-level approach also includes designing for the environments where women first seek help, whether at home, in primary care, or within community setings. It requires expanding the evidence base to validate biomarkers across diverse female populations, addressing long- standing research biases that have limited the generalisability of many diagnostic tools. In many cases, the core technologies and biological insights already exist. The priority now is to integrate them effectively into diagnostic tools that can deliver impact at the point of need. Doing so will help narrow diagnostic gaps and contribute to a more equitable healthcare landscape for women.
PPi
Acknowledgement This article first appeared in the June 2026 issue of The Clinical Services Journal. It is reproduced here in edited form by kind permission.
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Devlin H. Women in UK waiting almost nine years for endometriosis diagnosis, study finds. (The Guardian, 2024) www.
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Hermione Blakiston MSc CPhys MInstP is Research and Development Consultant at Sagentia Medical. With an academic background in computational and theoretical physics, Hermione’s expertise spans optics and sensor technology, particularly within diagnostic, surgical, and women’s health applications. Her projects encompass IP landscaping and technical due diligence, as well as the design and development of demonstrator devices for pre-clinical testing across clinical setings worldwide. Hermione excels at translating innovative technologies into tangible products that enhance patient outcomes.
Erica Kantor CEng is Commercial Lead for Surgical and Women’s Health at Sagentia Medical. As a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with over 11 years’ experience in medical device R&D, Erica leads complex development programmes from strategy to manufacture. In women’s health, Erica works at the intersection of technology, usability and commercial strategy to help address systemic gaps and accelerate meaningful, equitable outcomes for women.
September 2026
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