New federal guidelines are expanding options for cervical cancer screenings. People with uteruses usually have to undergo pap smears in a medical provider’s office. Pap smears screen for HPV, which causes cervical cancer, and anyone who has ever had a Pap smear knows how invasive and uncomfortable they can be. It’s not something to look forward to, but it’s understood that they’re necessary.
However, according to new recommendations released Monday by the Health Resources and Services Administration, women ages 30-65 with an average risk of cervical cancer can opt for the new addition of self-administered HPV tests at home, which may take some of the edge off.
The new guidelines recommend women of average risk, ages 30-65, get screened for HPV every five years, either via self-swab or administered by a clinician, while women ages 21-29 should get a Pap smear every three years. “These updates represent a significant step forward in cervical cancer screening and will improve screening rates and save lives, said HRSA Administrator Tom Engels in a public press release. “By expanding screening options and removing cost barriers, we’re helping more women take an active role in protecting their health and their future.”
The self-administered test, called the TealWand, is less invasive and involves inserting a plastic tampon-like tube into the vagina, then twisting the handle to swab for cells that can be examined in a lab. Pap smears use a metal or plastic device that widens the vaginal canal so that a clinician can swab the cervix for samples.
The updated guidelines mirror current research showing that self-swab HPV tests, compared with Pap smears, can increase the detection of abnormal cells in the cervix and are similarly accurate to those administered in a clinician’s office.
Cervical cancer is considered highly preventable, thanks to changes in screening frequency and the HPV vaccine, which has been available since 2006. Annual gynecology exams cover more than just cervical cancer, so it’s important to establish a relationship with a trusted doctor. However, as far as the TealWand, insurance companies must adhere to the new screening guidelines by January 1, 2027.