Redefining Cervical & HPV Screening with a Speculum-Free Self-Sampling Vaginal Applicator

Daye is a UK-based, female-led health start-up on a mission to close the gender gap in product innovation through sustainable and inclusive gynaecological products. It launched the world's first tampon for at-home detection of vaginal infections and STIs, which has demonstrated superiority in sample collection, accuracy and patient preference compared to traditional methods.

This project introduces an innovative tampon applicator designed for HPV and cervical screening with Daye's proprietary tampons. Its development is driven by the need for a user-friendly, patient-inclusive, and sustainable solution that incentivises higher patient uptake through simplicity, familiarity and comfort.

The applicator's design will facilitate pain-free self-testing and is tailored to place Daye's Diagnostic Tampon optimally within the vaginal canal and up to the cervix, ensuring accurate sampling for infections and cervical cancer. Its key features will include an ergonomic design for extended reach, depth and insertion indicators for effective use, and an inclusive shape that accommodates individuals with motor disabilities. Made from biodegradable materials, it will offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastic swabs and disposable speculums, commonly incinerated after use.

In the UK, around 3791 individuals are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, with 3 deaths daily (ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer, 2023). Despite the NHS's commitment to eliminate this disease by 2040, current vaccines only cover a portion of high-risk HPV strains (NHS, The universal HPV immunisation programme, 2023). Conventional screening methods, involving speculum-based procedures and clinic visits, are often inaccessible or uncomfortable, contributing to a decline in cervical screening participation in the UK (NHS, 2023). The significance of this development lies in its potential to overcome barriers to early HPV and cervical cancer detection, such as embarrassment, fear, pain, inconvenience and cultural obstacles, thus making screenings more accessible, comfortable, and sustainable, thus contributing to cervical cancer prevention.