NBC News
The Food and Medicines Administration (FDA, in English) on Friday by the first homemade cervical cancer detection test, according to Teal Health, kit manufacturer.
At present, the detection of cervical cancer is carried out in the consultation of a doctor during a pelvic exam, a process that some women consider uncomfortable and even painful.
Some patients do not undergo the cervical cancer detection test because they do not want to undergo a pelvic exam, according to Dr. Emeline Aviki, oncologist gynecologist at the Nyu Langone Health Medical Center.
“It is not a fun exam and is very easy to cancel,” said Aviki, who worked in the first studies to validate the New Test.
Cervical cancer is considered highly preventable thanks to detection tests and the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV). The rates have fallen into minced since the 1970s, according to a 2025 report by the American Cancer Society, although they have begun to stabilize in recent years. The report estimated that this year will be diagnosed with this type’s neck cancer to 13,360 women in the US, and that some 4.320 will die.
However, the number of women who undergo detection tests has decreased since the mid -2000s. A 2022 study reported that 23% of women were late in their detection of uterine cancer in 2019, compared to 14% in 2005. Up to half of women diagnosed in the US. They were not up to date with their exams, the American Cancer Society said.
“The detection of cervical cancer in general is something that saves life,” said Dr. Jessica Kiley, head of Obstetrics and General Gynecology of Northwestern Medicine in Chicago.
The new test, called Teal Wand, detects HPV by means of a vaginal swab, which makes it less invasive than vaginal cytology, in which the gynecologist introduces a spéculum and collects samples of cells from the cervix.
HPV is a sexually transmitted infection and the main cause of cervical cancer. There is no HPV treatment, but most cases disappear by themselves. However, several strains are related to cervical cancer.
The teal wand is not the first HPV test that uses a vaginal sample: last year, the FDA approved a similar swab, also performed by the patients themselves, which is collected in the doctor’s consultation.
“The different thing about this new indication is that this sample can be received at home and not in a medical environment,” said Dr. George Sawayaya, UCSF Health gynecologist. “You have to believe, logically, that would increase access if people’s main barrier were reaching a medical environment.”
A recent report published in Jama Network Open revealed that women in rural areas have 25% more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 42% more likely to die of this disease than those living in cities, a trend that probably reflects less access to detection tests and medical care in rural areas of the country.
Those interested can ask for the test kit after a telesalud appointment with a doctor and receive the sample at home. For now, the product will have to be prescribed by one of the virtual suppliers of Teal Health, but the company plans to make it also available to other doctors. Next, the test is sent by mail to a laboratory for analysis.
If the result is positive, according to Teal Health, your suppliers will help organize subsequent attention. After a positive result, women may need additional evidence in the doctor’s office.
Even so, experts want more information about the cost of the test and about whether patients will follow up if they need more tests.
“These are some of the uncertainties surrounding this test,” said Sawaya.
Kara Egan, general director of Teal Health, did not specify how much the test would cost. However, as is endorsed by the United States preventive services work group, the company provides that it be covered by medical insurance. In December, that government work group supported the measure to a recommendation draft.
Kiley, Northwestern’s gynecologist, added that it is still important that women go to the gynecologist regularly. An annual exam covers more than cervical cancer test, he said.
