At-home cervical cancer test rolls out 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."
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