Menstrual Blood-Based Self-Sampling Cervical Cancer Test Gets Patent-Know Everything About It

A medtech startup IOTA Diagnostic, has received an Indian Patent for its M-Strip, an innovative cervical cancer screening test that uses menstrual blood as a biospecimen. This follows regulatory approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and successful clinical validation. It is pertinent to note that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India, causing around 80,000 deaths annually.

How Does This Work?

M-Strip, the self-sampling kit for cervical cancer (HPV) and STI screening, provides a non-invasive alternative to traditional cervical screenings. This allows women to collect menstrual blood using a sanitary pad-based device. This sample is then sent to a lab for analysis to detect the presence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a major cause of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer recently gained widespread attention when model and actress Poonam Pandey sparked headlines by creating a hoax about her death to raise awareness about this chronic disease. While she received a lot of flak for her actions, cervical cancer became a trending search on the internet. But what is this and is it treatable?

What Is Cervical cancer?

Cervical Cancer is a type of cancer that deveops in layers of the cervix. It is caused by abnormal cell growth that can spread to another part of your body. There are two main types of cervical cancer. These are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

Where Is The Cervix Located?

Cervix is located in the pelvic cavity, about 3 to 6 inches inside the vaginal canal. It serves as the entrance to the uterus to the vagina. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), almost all cervial cancer are linked to human papillomaviruses (HPV) which are transmitted through sexual contact.

What Are The Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer has no symptoms in the early days and therefore, is hard to detect until it has spread.

Early-Stage Cervical Cancer Symptoms

• Vaginal bleeding after sex
• Vaginal bleeding post-menopause
• Vaginal bleeding between periods or unusually heavy/long periods
• Watery vaginal discharge with a strong odour or containing blood
• Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse

Advanced Cervical Cancer Symptoms (when cancer has spread beyond the cervix):

• Persistent symptoms of early-stage cervical cancer
• Painful or difficult bowel movements or rectal bleeding
• Painful or difficult urination or blood in the urine
• Persistent dull backache
• Swelling of the legs
• Pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen

Treatment Options

Treatment options for cervical cancer vary based on the cancer’s stage, size, and whether it has spread. Early-stage cervical cancer is often treated with surgery, such as a hysterectomy, to remove cancerous tissue. Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells, is frequently combined with chemotherapy in more advanced stages. Chemotherapy involves cancer-killing drugs that circulate throughout the body. Targeted therapy is also emerging as an option, using drugs that focus on specific cancer cell markers while sparing healthy cells. The choice of treatment depends on multiple factors, including the patient’s overall health and desire to preserve fertility.