Apparatus capable of determining the electrical conductivity of target cervical tissue using magnetic impedance spectroscopy (MIS) comprising: an excitation coil for producing a magnetic field which is capable of inducing currents in the target cervical tissue； a gradiometer for detecting perturbations in said magnetic field caused by said induced currents, the gradiometer including screening means for minimising sensitivity to tissues other than the target tissue； processing means for determining an electrical conductivity of said target cervical tissue from said perturbations. In embodiments the excitation coil and detection means are co-linear with the target issue at one end, with none of the target tissue in between the excitation and detection means.
