Innovation

Daye Diagnostic Tampon

2025 | Valentina Milanova

Daye’s Diagnostic Tampon for HPV screening is an at-home test that integrates cervical cancer screening into a familiar patient routine. This innovative solution increases accessibility to vital health checks, improving early detection rates and reducing the burden on NHS cervical screening services.

Daye’s Diagnostic Tampon represents a significant leap forward in gynaecological health screening, specifically tailored to address the challenges faced by the NHS in cervical cancer prevention. This device seamlessly combines the functionality of a familiar tampon with advanced diagnostic capabilities, allowing women to screen for high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) strains in the privacy of their homes.

The Diagnostic Tampon works by collecting vaginal and cervical fluid. Patients simply insert the tampon as they would a regular one, wear it for 20 minutes, and then send it to Daye’s UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis. The sample is tested for the presence of high-risk HPV strains, which are responsible for over 99% of cervical cancers.

This innovation addresses several key challenges within the NHS:

● Accessibility: By integrating screening into a routine, at-home activity, it reduces barriers to participation, increasing screening rates.

● Early Detection: Regular, convenient testing could lead to earlier detection of HPV, allowing for timely interventions and potentially reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.

● Resource Optimization: At-home testing can help alleviate pressure on NHS clinics and staff, allowing resources to be focused on follow-up care and treatment. 3

● Patient Experience: The familiar tampon format reduces anxiety associated with traditional screening methods, improving patient compliance and satisfaction.

● Data Collection: With user consent, the technology could provide valuable data on HPV prevalence and distribution, informing public health strategies.

Daye’s Diagnostic Tampon aligns with the NHS Long Term Plan’s focus on preventative care and leveraging innovative technologies to improve health outcomes. By offering a less invasive, more accessible screening option, this innovation has the potential to transform cervical cancer prevention efforts in the UK, supporting the NHS’s goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040 and reducing health inequalities, particularly amongst under-served patient populations.