Researchers say menstrual blood testing could offer a simple alternative to cervical screening. A sanitary pad fitted with a sample strip can detect Human papillomavirus, which causes most cervical cancers. Scientists in China compared pad-collected menstrual blood with clinician-taken cervical samples. They studied 3,068 women aged 20 to 54 between 2021 and 2025. The results appeared in BMJ. The pad test detected serious cervical abnormalities with 94.7% sensitivity, similar to clinician samples. Researchers say the method could increase screening uptake by allowing home testing. Cancer Research UK said the approach looked encouraging but needed further trials. Eve Appeal welcomed the findings but noted the test would not suit everyone, including menopausal women.
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