Emma Bascom , 2025-05-09 19:53:00
Key takeaways:
- Patients can now collect cervical cancer screening samples themselves, at home.
- Manufacturers of the new device say it is as accurate as traditional screening methods.
The FDA has approved the first and only self-collection cervical cancer screening device, where patients can obtain their own samples from the comfort of their own home.
The Teal Wand, manufactured by Teal Health, is an alternative to the traditional method, which can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, according to a press release from Teal Health.
“Cervical cancer is largely preventable, yet screening rates in the U.S. continue to lag, and the FDA approval of this at-home Teal Wand self-collection device is a critical step forward,” Christine Conageski, MD, MSc, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of the Complex Dysplasia Clinic at the University of Colorado, and a principal investigator in the product’s trial, said in the release. “It offers an evidence-based way to expand access without compromising accuracy.”
The Teal Wand tests a sample for HPV, which causes most cervical cancers, and it uses the same guideline-recommended test that providers use in the clinic; it “simply provides a different method of sample collection,” according to the release. The at-home screening process includes the Teal Wand collection kit and a telehealth service that offers virtual access to Teal medical providers who support patients throughout the process, including by prescribing the kit and reviewing the lab results.
“Access is only part of the solution. Comprehensive screening must go hand in hand with structured, reliable follow-up. That’s why Teal Health’s approach to not only advancing screening technology but also providing education and support to women through every step of their care and follow-up journey is crucial,” Conageski said. “That’s how we ensure this breakthrough truly closes the gap.”
The prescription device will soon be available online for those aged 25 to 65 years and at average risk for cervical cancer. According to the release, kits will become available in California in June and expand nationally later.
As for cost, “Teal is working with major insurance providers and plans to have flexible payment options, helping to remove financial concerns and ensuring more women have access to this preferred at-home screening if they want it,” according to the release.
The American Cancer Society applauded the approval.
“Despite the benefits of cervical cancer screening, not all eligible are screened regularly,” William L. Dahut, MD, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society, said in a statement. “Most cervical cancers are found in people who have never had a cervical cancer screening test or who have not had one recently. That’s why today’s Food and Drug Administration’s announcement approving the first at-home test to screen for cervical cancer as an additional cancer screening method for this potentially deadly disease will make a huge impact.”
