In a move to address the high rates of cervical cancer in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has given approval for the first-ever at-home cervical cancer screening kit. On May 9, the FDA authorized the Teal Wand, a self-collection device for vaginal samples that was developed by Teal Health. This approval was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to USA TODAY.
The Teal Wand, a prescription device, enables individuals with uteruses to conduct human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in the comfort of their homes. HPV is a major cause of cervical cancer, and until now, HPV testing has typically been done alongside an in-person pap smear. Teal Health is gearing up to introduce the Teal Wand kits this summer, bringing a new option for at-home cervical screening.
What is the Teal Wand?
The Teal Wand is a self-collection device for vaginal samples that allows for HPV testing. It features a sterile swab for sampling the inside of the vagina.
How does the Teal Wand work?
The Teal Wand is a primary HPV test, which is a cervical cancer screening method focused on detecting HPV, as outlined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HPV is a common viral infection transmitted through sexual contact. Teal Health conducts testing of Teal Wand kits at labs certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments.
Once the test results are ready, patients can access them through a Teal Health account and consult with a Teal Health provider if needed. Results are typically available about a week after mailing in the samples, as stated on the Teal Health website.
How to obtain the Teal Wand?
Teal Wand kits will start becoming available in California in June, according to a Teal Health news release. Those interested in learning more about the kit can sign up on the Teal Health website to join the waitlist. Since the Teal Wand requires a prescription, a virtual appointment with a Teal Health provider will be necessary before a kit can be sent out. Eligible individuals will have the collection kit delivered directly to their homes.
Who should avoid using the Teal Wand?
As per the Teal Health website, the Teal Wand is not recommended for individuals who are pregnant, have a history of reproductive system cancer, HIV, DES exposure, or immunosuppression, or have undergone treatment for cervical precancer.
While the Teal Wand offers a new way to test for HPV at home, traditional in-person pap smears are still deemed the optimal choice, explained Dr. Ami Vaidya, co-chief of gynecological oncology at Hackensack University Medical Center’s John Theurer Cancer Center. These in-person visits allow for comprehensive examinations that cannot be replicated with an at-home test.
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer begins as an abnormal growth of cells in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. HPV strains are
According to the Mayo Clinic, the virus can persist for years in a small percentage of individuals, leading to the development of cancerous cervical cells. In the United States, around 12,000 cases of cervical cancer are reported annually. The CDC recommends that individuals with a uterus have their first pap smear at age 21, with subsequent screenings every three years if the initial results are normal. Screening should continue regularly until approximately age 65.
For individuals over 65, a pap smear may no longer be necessary if specific criteria are met, such as a history of normal test results or certain medical procedures. Greta Cross, a trending reporter at USA TODAY, can be contacted at gcross@usatoday.com for story ideas. This article on the FDA’s approval of the first at-home cervical cancer test was originally published on USA TODAY.
