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.

A new ketamine-like nasal spray will soon be available at a subsidised cost in Australia to help thousands living with treatment-resistant depression. The medication, called Spravato (esketamine), has been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), marking a significant shift in how the country approaches difficult-to-treat mental health conditions.

What Is Esketamine and How Does It Work?

Esketamine is chemically related to ketamine, a well-known anaesthetic that gained notoriety for recreational use in rave culture. However, in controlled medical settings, this compound is offering new hope for patients who have not responded to traditional antidepressants.

Unlike older medications that target serotonin – a “feel-good” chemical in the brain – esketamine works on a different neurotransmitter called glutamate. This chemical is believed to play a key role in restoring neural connections that influence mood regulation. The result is often a much faster response, with some patients feeling relief within hours instead of weeks or months.

Why It Matters: A Breakthrough After Decades

Esketamine is the first government-funded drug for major depression in over 30 years that works via a new mechanism. While most antidepressants developed since the 1980s have focused on serotonin or other monoamines, esketamine offers an alternative path by targeting glutamate and related brain circuits.

For those who have tried multiple medications without success, this drug represents a long-awaited option. Clinical trials in Australia show that nearly 50% of patients with treatment-resistant depression reported significant improvement after using esketamine.

Who Can Access It and What Will It Cost?

Starting Thursday, up to 30,000 Australians will be able to access Spravato through the PBS. Patients will pay $31.60 per dose, or $7.70 for pensioners and concession card holders. However, this does not include additional healthcare and administrative fees. Because of safety requirements, the drug must be administered under supervision at certified treatment centres, which will add to the overall cost.

Despite these extra expenses, making esketamine available through PBS is expected to reduce financial barriers and give more Australians access to potentially life-changing care.

Why Esketamine Stands Out

Since receiving approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019, esketamine has been used in hospitals and clinics across America, particularly in emergency care for severe depression. Unlike some drugs that sedate or numb emotions, esketamine is reported to alleviate core depressive symptoms — including intense feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts — without dulling awareness.

Mental health experts say this rapid effect can be life-saving in critical cases where waiting for standard medications to take effect is not an option.

A Step Forward After Long Delays

The inclusion of Spravato in the PBS comes after a four-year wait and four separate funding submissions. The listing is seen as a major win for mental health advocates and patients who have pushed for broader access to advanced treatments.

While it may not work for everyone, esketamine opens a new chapter in treating depression — one focused on faster, more targeted relief for those who need it most.

British King Charles recently reflected on his experience with cancer, saying it brought into "sharp focus the very best of humanity", while acknowledging that each new case is "a daunting and at times frightening experience" for those receiving a diagnosis and for their loved ones. The British monarch was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate gland in February last year, after which he has been getting regular treatments and receiving outpatient care. Despite the diagnosis at 77 years, he has remained positive about his treatment and has continued to perform some of his constitutional duties, such as paperwork and private meetings.

King Charles's Personal Message To People

In a personal written message, released to coincide with a Buckingham Palace reception celebrating organisations that help people with the disease, he described himself as one of the "statistics" among the 390,000 who "sadly" receive a cancer diagnosis in the UK each year. He said it "can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity". Notably, he told the representatives of the cancer charity that they have the British royal family's "deepest admiration."

Dame Deborah James Is My Inspiration

King Charles hailed the late Dame Deborah James as an inspiration, quoting her final message and encouraging everyone to follow her example. "Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope." A royal source said there was no update on the king’s condition or treatment, but that it continued in a "very positive direction", reflected in his "very full" national and international diary. They described the words and subject of the message as "deeply personal" for the king.

While Buckingham Palace has not made an announcement clarifying the type of cancer the 76-year-old monarch has been battling but it is suspected that he might have prostate cancer. As described by UK NHS, prostate cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when malignant cells form in the prostate gland, which is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer treatment guidelines have shifted their path a bit in recent years, with many men opting for active surveillance rather than immediate treatment for slow-growing tumours. However, about 50% of men on "watchful waiting" will require further treatment within 5 years because of the tumour progression. This is what triggered many researchers to aim and identify whether dietary modifications, specifically increasing omega-3 fatty acids, could prolong this surveillance period and slow down the tumour progression.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged travellers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Umrah and the upcoming pilgrimages to ensure they are vaccinated against meningococcal disease with the MenACWY vaccine. This notice has been issued in the backdrop of the ongoing outbreaks of serogroup W (MenW) disease, which is associated with travel to KSA.

As of now, UKHSA has confirmed 5 cases of MenW disease between February and March 2025 in people who had recently returned from KSA or had close contacts with those who returned to England and Wales.

What Is Serogroup W (MenW) Disease?

As per the 2014 study published in Cambridge University Press, these strains have been emerging throughout the current century with most of the isolates belonging to the sequence type (ST11)/electrophoretic type (ET37) clonal complex (ST11/E37 CC). This has been particular since the international outbreak following Hajj 2000.

Meningococci are capsulated bacteria. The international emergency was first reported following the annual Hajj season in Saudi Arabia in March 2000. This is a serious bacterial infection that can lead to severe illness and even death. It is characterized by the onset and can manifest in various ways, including meningitis, septicemia and pneumonia. MenW IMD has increased in the recent years.

What Are The Symptoms?

It can start with a high fever, headache, stiff neck, vomiting, and a petechial or purpuric rash.

In some cases there could be atypical presentations too, especially when the patient has pneumonia, septic arthritis, and upper respiratory or ophthalmological symptoms.

A "2013 strain" is also associated with gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea ad vomiting.

What Happens In This Disease?

Invasive meningococcal disease is rare, however, it is a serious condition. What happens here is that the lining of the brain and spinal cord gets inflamed and thus it can kill people or leave them with life-changing disabilities.

What Are Pilgrims Asked To Do?

Travellers performing Hajj or Umrah, as well as seasonal workers, must show proof of a valid MenACWY vaccination certificate, issued between 10 days and 3 to 5 years before arriving—depending on the type of vaccine they received. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) also recommend that all travellers to Saudi Arabia consider getting the quadrivalent MenACWY vaccine, especially in light of the ongoing MenW outbreak.

What Does The Expert Say?

Dr Shamez Ladhani, who is a Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA said, "The MenACWY vaccination is essential for pilgrims travelling to KSA for Umrah and Hajj, particularly given recent cases among UK returnees and their families. Meningococcal disease can be fatal and may leave survivors with serious lifelong conditions including hearing loss, brain damage and limb amputations. Pilgrims should ensure vaccination at least ten days before travel and remain vigilant for symptoms like sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, or rash. If you or anyone at home becomes unwell with any symptoms of meningitis within two weeks of returning from Saudi Arabia, contact your GP or NHS 111, mentioning your recent travel history, or dial 999 in case of emergency."

The UKHSA has also advised the following guideline for UK travellers:

• avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products
• avoid contact with camels and animal waste
• practise good hygiene, particularly washing hands after visiting farms, barns or markets