Women at average risk for cervical cancer in the U.S. can now safely test themselves at home, avoiding uncomfortable clinic exams. The American Cancer Society (ACS) announced the new guidance on Thursday.
The FDA-approved at-home test, developed by Teal Health, uses a vaginal swab to detect human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus responsible for nearly all cervical cancer cases. Women simply send the swab to a certified lab for analysis, eliminating the need for a traditional speculum-based exam.
Dr. Diane Harper of the University of Michigan noted that discomfort during speculum exams is one reason why half of U.S. women diagnosed with cervical cancer had not undergone screening in the past 10 years. Self-collected vaginal samples are expected to improve compliance with recommended screenings.
The updated ACS guidelines, published in CA – A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, state that speculum exams remain preferred, but at-home or self-collected specimens are acceptable. Women who test HPV-negative using a self-swab are advised to repeat screening in three years, while negative speculum tests should be repeated every five years.
The ACS recommends that women begin cervical cancer screening at age 25 using primary HPV testing. Screening should continue every five years through age 65. Women who have consistently negative results may stop screening after that age.
Since the 1970s, cervical cancer screening programs have reduced disease incidence by more than 50%. Still, the ACS estimates over 13,000 new cases and more than 4,000 deaths from cervical cancer in the U.S. this year.
Additionally, HPV vaccination, such as Merck’s Gardasil administered before age 17, reduces the risk of cervical cancer by up to 90%, according to experts. A Roche vaginal swab for in-office collection was also approved in May 2024.
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The new at-home testing approach aims to make cervical cancer screening more accessible, increase early detection, and ultimately save lives by encouraging more women to participate in regular screening programs.
