At-home cervical cancer test rolls out in California
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Photo: Courtesy of Teal Health
The first FDA-approved at-home cervical cancer screening device launched this week in California.
Why it matters: Cervical cancer is largely preventable, yet 1 in 4 U.S. women aren't up to date on screenings for the disease, per the CDC. Teal Health's goal is to make the testing experience feel less invasive than a Pap smear, which can often cause pain.
Driving the news: The Teal Wand allows people to self-collect a vaginal sample to test for HPV, the virus that causes nearly all cervical cancers.
- The San Francisco women's health company spearheading the device says it uses the same HPV test used in clinics and merely differs in the method of collection.
The big picture: California records about 7.3 cervical cancer cases per 100,000 people every year, slightly under the national rate of 7.5.
- The incidence rate varies among racial groups, however, with Hispanics generally seeing higher figures.
- Nationwide, Black and Indigenous people also experience higher rates of cervical cancer and mortality compared to white women.
"Several studies have shown that the availability of self-screening can boost participation in cervical cancer screening among underscreened persons—a population most likely to benefit in terms of cancer prevention," UCSF obstetrician-gynecologist George F. Sawaya told Axios via email.
- In 2023, cervical cancer screenings in the U.S. remained 14% lower than pre-pandemic levels, per a March journal article.
Yes, but: It's equally critical to ensure those with positive test results get reliable follow-ups and treatment, Sawaya added.
How it works: To take a sample, the wand — similar to a tampon in its dimensions — is inserted into the vagina and deploys a sponge to collect cells from the cervix.
- Once the sponge is extracted, it's placed in a vial and mailed to the lab. Teal medical providers then review the results and follow up via telehealth.
- The kit, which is shipped to your door, is available for purchase online and costs $99 with in-network insurance and $249 via credit card or HSA/FSA payment.
By the numbers: Self-collected samples using the wand have proven to detect cervical precancer 96% of the time, similar to clinician-collected ones, Teal Health's 16-site clinical trials found.
- Eighty-six percent of participants said they'd be more likely to stay up to date with screenings if they could do it at home, per the trials.
What they're saying: A lot of people don't recognize the importance of getting tested regularly because it's not always clear what a Pap smear is for, Teal Health co-founder and CEO Kara Egan told Axios.
- Lack of appointments, time conflicts and discomfort with the exam are also top reasons for not screening, Egan added.
- The wand was designed to alleviate those concerns, she said, offering the "same accuracy, but just comfortably and privately from home."
What's next: Teal Health plans to work with federally qualified health centers to reach more communities and expand nationwide by the end of next year.