Scientists hope to detect early signs of ovarian cancer using a potentially ‘game-changing’ tampon in a new clinical trial. Researchers from University Hospital Southampton are recruiting 250 women with the ‘Angelina Jolie gene’, which significantly increases their risk of breast and ovarian cancer. David Constable-Phelps, a consultant gynaecological oncology surgeon and co-investigator for the study, said: ‘The ability to detect the earliest signs of ovarian cancer, with a relatively non-invasive test such as the Daye tampon, would be a complete game-changer for women with ovarian cancer. ‘Ovarian cancer commonly has non-specific symptoms in its early and late stages, so the tumour can spread to other organs silently. She added: ‘It could both help them reduce their risk of ovarian cancer development or pick it up in the earliest stages, when it is most treatable.’

Source: Daily Mail February 21, 2026 09:14 UTC