Period Blood Detects Cervical Cancer Early

A new method for cervical cancer screening utilizing period blood has emerged, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional smear tests. This development, rooted in detecting HPV which causes nearly all cervical cancers, uses a blood sample strip on a sanitary pad. This approach promises to eliminate the discomfort and trauma associated with speculum-based examinations, a procedure many women find unpleasant or even humiliating.

Historically, medical advancements in women's health have been slow, with smear tests remaining largely unchanged since the 1950s. Misogyny has persisted in medical tools, such as the use of larger metal speculums and the delayed renaming of 'virgin speculums' until 2023. These factors, coupled with a historical lack of focus on female-centric medical concerns, have contributed to a significant portion of women in the UK not attending recommended screenings.