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CNET
5 hours ago
- Health
- CNET
The First At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening Wand Is Now Available
If you've ever had a Pap smear, you know how uncomfortable a cervical cancer screening can be, especially from inside a cold, clinical doctor's office. Cervical cancer is highly preventable with routine screening. To provide people with a cervix a comfortable and private screening option, women's health company Teal Health developed the Teal Wand, the first and only at-home vaginal sample self-collection device for cervical cancer screening in the US. Following its FDA approval in May, the Teal Wand is now available in California. Here's how it works and where you can get one. How does the Teal Wand work? "The Teal Wand is a self-collection device in which the collected sample is mailed to a lab to test for high-risk HPV using an FDA-approved Primary HPV test," said Kara Egan, Teal Health's CEO and co-founder, via email. The Teal Wand requires a prescription, which you can get through Teal Health on First, you fill out a medical eligibility questionnaire, order a screening kit and schedule a 10-minute virtual visit with a Teal provider. (You can see the OBGYNs and nurse practitioners on Teal's team here.) During the appointment, the provider will review your screening history and discuss the process. After the prescription is approved, a kit will be shipped directly to your home. Collecting your sample at home only takes a few minutes. Print and video instructions can help guide you, and Teal support can answer questions. When you're done, simply package your sample and ship it to a CLIA-certified lab with the materials provided. (CLIA, or Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, are regulations requiring any facility examining human specimens, like tissue, blood and urine, for diagnosis, prevention or treatment purposes, to be certified by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.) After the lab processes your sample, a Teal provider reviews the results in accordance with the screening guidelines defined by the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP). You'll receive results in your secure Teal portal within about a week after sending your sample. You'll be given the opportunity to virtually connect with a Teal provider to discuss any next steps. If follow-up care is needed, the Teal team will coordinate your referral. What does the Teal Wand test for? Just like in the clinician's office, your sample is tested for 14 types of high-risk HPV (Human Papillomavirus) that present the highest risk of causing cervical cancer, Egan said. According to the World Health Organization, 99% of cervical cancer cases are linked to HPV infections. Primary HPV tests are the most sensitive tests recommended by the American Cancer Society and the US Preventive Services Task Force for cervical cancer screening. According to Teal Health, the Teal Wand uses the Roche cobas Primary HPV test, which is the same test your doctor would use. Teal's national clinical trial also concluded that "self-collection using the Teal Wand is as accurate as going into the clinic where a provider collects the sample using a speculum and tests for HPV." The Teal Wand is simply a different way of collecting the sample. Teal Health Who can use the Teal Wand? There are three types of cervical cancer tests: Primary HPV testing every five years, Pap tests every three years and co-tests that combine both an HPV test with a Pap test every five years. According to the ASCCP's guidelines, Primary HPV testing through self-collection, which the Teal Wand uses, is suitable for people at average risk for cervical cancer. Teal Health follows the American Cancer Society's guidelines, which recommend HPV testing every five years for people aged 25 to 65 who have an intact cervix. Note that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people between the ages of 30 and 65 get either an HPV test, a Pap test or both as a co-test. (This is different from the American Cancer Society's recommendation, which starts at age 25 instead of 30.) If you're considered at risk of cervical cancer, the CDC recommends that you start getting Pap tests as early as age 21. For those over age 65, consult your doctor. You may not need to be screened anymore if you've received normal or negative results from at least three Pap tests or two HPV tests in the past 10 years, or if you've had your cervix removed during a total hysterectomy for noncancerous conditions like fibroids. Regardless of how, it's important to get screened regularly, even if you've been vaccinated against HPV. If you're not sure which test is right for you, your doctor can help you decide. Who shouldn't use the Teal Wand? Egan said that self-collection with the Teal Wand is not currently recommended for: patients with a history of cancer in the reproductive system patients with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) patients with DES (diethylstilbestrol, a synthetic form of estrogen) exposure patients with immunosuppression patients who have had a treatment for cervical precancer, such as LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) or cold knife cone patients who are pregnant or within six weeks of giving birth Does the Teal Wand replace a Pap smear? The Teal Wand is not the same as a Pap smear (cervical cytology). Instead of in-office, clinician-collected samples with a speculum, like you'd have with a Pap smear, Primary HPV screening allows for self-collected samples. Teal describes a Pap smear as being less sensitive compared to HPV testing because it can only detect cell changes once they've happened, a potential sign that cancer is already present. That's why Pap smears are performed more often than Primary HPV testing (every three years versus five years). On its own, a Pap also doesn't test for HPV, which is the primary cause of almost all cervical cancers. "Universally, a cervical cancer screening is often called a Pap smear, but Pap smear, along with the HPV test, are both types of tests for cervical cancer screening," Egan said. "Screening for HPV using the Teal Wand is an alternative to screening in person." In other words, once you screen using the Teal Wand, you don't need to do the test again in your doctor's office. However, if your results are abnormal and positive for HPV, you may need to get additional in-person testing, such as a colposcopy or a Pap smear, to check for cell changes. Your Teal provider will advise you accordingly, per medical guidelines, based on the HPV type detected and your screening history. While Teal Health aims to help people stay up-to-date on cervical cancer screening, it's always recommended to continue yearly in-person preventive care visits. Teal Health How much does the Teal Wand cost? Can you use insurance? With select insurance companies, the full at-home screening experience with telehealth consults is available for $99. Without insurance, it's $249, but is eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement. Teal Health is currently working with the following insurance plans in California: Cigna, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California and United Healthcare. The company aims to expand its coverage and also provide financial assistance when needed. When will the Teal Wand be available outside California? Teal Health is planning to have the Teal Wand available across the US before the end of 2026. What's the goal with the Teal Wand? According to Egan, Teal Health is on a mission to improve women's healthcare experiences. Teal Health is also a member of the Cervical Cancer Roundtable, a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the Biden Cancer Moonshot, a coalition of industry leaders working to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern in the US. "By creating the option for a woman to screen for cervical cancer from the comfort of home and providing telehealth follow-up, Teal can increase access to this life-saving cancer screening, get more women screened and work toward eliminating cervical cancer in the US, as it is the only cancer nearly 100% preventable with proper screening," said Egan.
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How innovations in women's health are making it a priority — not an afterthought
There are so many innovations happening in women's health right now, including wearable devices and products to track and manage periods, perimenopause and more. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images, Sequel, Teal Health) A tampon that stops leaks. A cervical cancer screening test you can take at home. An app that tracks perimenopause symptoms to help you sort through the confusion and manage them better. These are just a few of the key innovations that are reshaping women's health, making it a priority rather than an afterthought. To quote Lizzo: 'It's about damn time.' It's well known that women's health has been historically overlooked and underfunded, while women's symptoms are often dismissed or misunderstood, creating a gender health gap. A wave of innovations in female-focused technology, aka femtech, is starting to change that, putting women in charge of their own health and breaking down barriers to better care. And not surprisingly, it's often women, from scientists to CEOs, who are pushing for change — call them problem solveHERs, if you will. Investors are finally taking notice. Femtech has become a booming industry, with apps, wearable devices and products tracking and managing periods, fertility, menopause and more. The global femtech market is expected to be valued at $60 billion by 2027, according to a report by Emergen Research. Advertisement To say it's a remarkable time in women's health is an understatement. 'Since I have been a doctor, I could count on one hand the number of new treatments and technologies for all of gynecology,' Dr. Karen Tang, a gynecologist and author of It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (But Were Never Told), tells Yahoo. 'There really aren't a lot of innovations, so having a few of them — like the [at-home] HPV screening and non-invasive tests for endometriosis and [new] classes of medications — is actually really unusual. So it's exciting to have that. It's hopefully the start of more innovations to come.' Dr. Gil Weiss, an ob-gyn at the Association for Women's Health Care and assistant professor of clinical medicine in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, agrees. 'We are experiencing a new surge in women's health research, which will help achieve a more inclusive health care system for everyone,' he says. Here's a look at some of the cool innovations that are transforming women's health, what problems they solve and how they work. Problem: Tampons can leak. Advertisement Solution: The new Sequel Spiral tampon's helix shape prevents leakage and marks the first major change to tampon design in more than 90 years. Problem: Cervical cancer screenings can save lives, but people skip them for many reasons, from busy schedules to concerns about cost to anxiety over the exam. Solution: The Teal Wand is an FDA-approved cervical cancer screening tool you can use at home. Problem: Figuring out if you're in perimenopause, let alone navigating it and managing symptoms, can be tricky. Solution: Peri by identifyHer is a wearable device with an app that tracks women's perimenopausal symptoms and provides personalized advice on how to better manage them. Problem: Antibiotic-resistant UTIs are making them harder to treat. Advertisement Solution: There's a new antibiotic, gepotidacin (Blujepa), which is the first in a new class of oral antibiotics for UTIs in nearly 30 years. Problem: It can take up to 11 years to get an endometriosis diagnosis. Solution: Two cutting-edge products — Qvin's Q-Pad and NextGen Jane Smart Tampon — are aiming to take the guesswork and long waits out of diagnosing endometriosis and similar reproductive health conditions.
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How innovations in women's health are making it a priority — not an afterthought
There are so many innovations happening in women's health right now, including wearable devices and products to track and manage periods, perimenopause and more. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images, Sequel, Teal Health) A tampon that stops leaks. A cervical cancer screening test you can take at home. An app that tracks perimenopause symptoms to help you sort through the confusion and manage them better. These are just a few of the key innovations that are reshaping women's health, making it a priority rather than an afterthought. To quote Lizzo: 'It's about damn time.' It's well known that women's health has been historically overlooked and underfunded, while women's symptoms are often dismissed or misunderstood, creating a gender health gap. A wave of innovations in female-focused technology, aka femtech, is starting to change that, putting women in charge of their own health and breaking down barriers to better care. And not surprisingly, it's often women, from scientists to CEOs, who are pushing for change — call them problem solveHERs, if you will. Investors are finally taking notice. Femtech has become a booming industry, with apps, wearable devices and products tracking and managing periods, fertility, menopause and more. The global femtech market is expected to be valued at $60 billion by 2027, according to a report by Emergen Research. Advertisement To say it's a remarkable time in women's health is an understatement. 'Since I have been a doctor, I could count on one hand the number of new treatments and technologies for all of gynecology,' Dr. Karen Tang, a gynecologist and author of It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (But Were Never Told), tells Yahoo. 'There really aren't a lot of innovations, so having a few of them — like the [at-home] HPV screening and non-invasive tests for endometriosis and [new] classes of medications — is actually really unusual. So it's exciting to have that. It's hopefully the start of more innovations to come.' Dr. Gil Weiss, an ob-gyn at the Association for Women's Health Care and assistant professor of clinical medicine in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, agrees. 'We are experiencing a new surge in women's health research, which will help achieve a more inclusive health care system for everyone,' he says. Here's a look at some of the cool innovations that are transforming women's health, what problems they solve and how they work. Problem: Tampons can leak. Advertisement Solution: The new Sequel Spiral tampon's helix shape prevents leakage and marks the first major change to tampon design in more than 90 years. Problem: Cervical cancer screenings can save lives, but people skip them for many reasons, from busy schedules to concerns about cost to anxiety over the exam. Solution: The Teal Wand is an FDA-approved cervical cancer screening tool you can use at home. Problem: Figuring out if you're in perimenopause, let alone navigating it and managing symptoms, can be tricky. Solution: Peri by identifyHer is a wearable device with an app that tracks women's perimenopausal symptoms and provides personalized advice on how to better manage them. Problem: Antibiotic-resistant UTIs are making them harder to treat. Advertisement Solution: There's a new antibiotic, gepotidacin (Blujepa), which is the first in a new class of oral antibiotics for UTIs in nearly 30 years. Problem: It can take up to 11 years to get an endometriosis diagnosis. Solution: Two cutting-edge products — Qvin's Q-Pad and NextGen Jane Smart Tampon — are aiming to take the guesswork and long waits out of diagnosing endometriosis and similar reproductive health conditions.
Boston Globe
02-06-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
At-home health tests are here. But they aren't always the best option.
Here's what doctors say you can test for at home, and when you should make the trek to your physician's office. What kinds of at-home tests are available? There are two kinds at 'at-home tests.' In one type, the patient collects the sample and sends it off to a lab; the new cervical cancer test is like this. Advertisement The other gives an instant result — think COVID-19 and pregnancy tests. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up What are the benefits of at-home tests? HIV home-testing kits can improve rates of diagnosing sexually transmitted infections in rural communities and help people who are nervous about going to the doctor to seek a sensitive test, said Dr. Joseph Cherabie, an infectious diseases specialist in St. Louis. 'You really want to get people to care as quickly as possible, but some people could be very anxious about that results as well,' Cherabie said. 'And they have very negative reactions.' Labs are required to report a positive HIV test, instead of putting the onus on the patient who took the test, Cherabie said, and and, often, the patient is matched up with HIV support services. Advertisement 'If you are part of a sexual and gender minority community, going to a doctor's office can be full of a lot of historical trauma, and you may prefer to just do testing at home without anyone judging you or asking you invasive questions about your sex life,' Cherabie said. The new cervical cancer test — which tests for strains of human papillomavirus, or HPV — involves a testing swab that's like a tampon, said Dr. Susan Modesitt, a gynecologic oncologist at Emory University in Atlanta. It is not, Modesitt said, a replacement for a Pap smear, the exam in which a metal speculum is inserted in the vagina to scrape cervix cells. A doctor's visit also involves a pelvic exam, a chance to talk about abnormal bleeding — a sign of endometrial cancer — and other symptoms and issues, like menopause or STIs. 'There are so many other reasons to see your doctor and get an exam outside of a cervical cancer screening,' she said. This photo provided by Teal Health in May 2025 shows the company's Teal Wand self-collection device for at-home cervical cancer screening. Nicole Morrison/Associated Press I live in a rural area — can I take an at-home test? Some at-home tests can replace a trip to the doctor's office. That's especially true in rural areas, where it can be difficult to get a colonoscopy. 'The colonoscopy requires a pre-op, and you have to drive maybe 70 miles for it,' said Dr. Steven Furr, board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians who practices in rural Alabama. 'You get anesthesia. It's actually almost like a surgical procedure in many ways. 'So, for a lot of people, that's pretty arduous. That's where an at-home test can come in handy.' But, Furr said, if your test reveals issues, you need to go to your doctor. Plus, patients should always discuss test results with their physician instead of interpreting them on their own, he said. Advertisement Who shouldn't do at-home tests? If you have symptoms of what you're testing for, go to the doctor. At-home colon cancer tests aren't the right option for people with a history of colon cancer or high-risk conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, said Dr. Zachariah Foda, a gastroenterologist at Johns Hopkins. He added that they're also not recommended for people who are having GI symptoms. While there are tests for many things — running anywhere from $15 to $400, depending on what is being evaluated — Furr said it's essential to make sure that your test is FDA-approved so you can better trust the results. 'Anytime we get people involved in their own health care and help them understand what's going on, I think that's a good thing and it gives us a chance to talk,' he said. 'Any kind of screening is better than no screening.'
Sinar Daily
17-05-2025
- Health
- Sinar Daily
US approves first at-home cervical cancer screening device
Users request a kit online, have a brief visit with a telehealth provider to gauge eligibility and then the kit is prescribed. They then collect the sample and ship it to a lab for analysis. 17 May 2025 05:00pm This undated handout image obtained on May 9, 2025, courtesy of Teal Health, shows the Teal Wand, an at-home cervical cancer screening device approved by the FDA. (Photo by Nicole Morrison/Teal Health/AFP) WASHINGTON - The US Food and Drug Administration has approved an at-home cervical cancer screening tool as an alternative to Pap smears by a gynecologist, the company behind the device said recently. The "Teal Wand" -- a self-collection vaginal swab shaped like a tampon and developed by Teal Health -- will be available online for individuals aged 25 to 65 who are at average risk for cervical cancer. Users request a kit online, have a brief visit with a telehealth provider to gauge eligibility and then the kit is prescribed. They then collect the sample and ship it to a lab for analysis. Cervical cancer, which affects the lower part of the uterus, is diagnosed in about 0.6 percent of women. Although HPV vaccination and regular screening are highly effective at preventing the disease, more than one in four women fall behind on routine appointments. "When we make care easier to get, we help women stay healthy, for themselves and for the people who rely on them every day," Teal Health CEO Kara Egan said in a statement. The Teal Wand tests for high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer. A large clinical trial found its accuracy comparable to a traditional Pap smear, which requires a speculum and is often cited as a barrier to screening due to discomfort. Most sexually active people will contract HPV at some point, though only a small fraction develop cancer. Teal Health did not disclose pricing but said it is in talks with insurers to ensure affordability. The product will launch first in California in June. - AFP More Like This
