Cervical screenings are key to spotting cell abnormalities and HPV (responsible for 99% of cervical cancers) early, preventing any changes from turning into cancer. Since 1964, these screenings have happened through cervical screenings in the UK, in which a “soft brush” is inserted into a person’s cervix to collect cells. But new research published in the BMJ said “HPV testing of menstrual blood could be a robust alternative or replacement to clinician-based testing”. This could be promising, the researchers say, because people can “non-invasively collect samples at home”. The process also “reduces their discomfort and alleviates fear of pain”. As many as 62% of people eligible for cervical screenings say they worry about discomfort, while one in three skip their appointment. How could period blood help with HPV screening? In this research, 3,068 women, aged 20-54 years, with regular periods, wore “minipads” while menstruating. This was a sterile cotton strip added to their period pad. They also provided a clinician-collected cervical sample, and an “an additional clinician collected cervical sample for laboratory processing” – like …