Alternatives to the often dreaded Pap smear could be in sight for Cervical cancer screenings.
The procedure usually involves inserting a speculum to open the vaginal canal so that a swab can be inserted and passed over the cervix to collect a sample of cells. All of this is done while lying on your back with your feet in stirrups to keep your legs spread.
For some, the Pap smear is an unpleasant but necessary part of their health check-up. For others, it is such a horrific experience that they avoid going to the doctor and risk missing early detection of cancer cells.
But this year, some healthcare companies are preparing to introduce self-collection options that allow patients to skip the hassle of contact with medical professionals.
According to a report in the New York Times, labs can now test samples from the vaginal walls rather than the cervix itself, making a critical difference in the ability of self-collection to occur.
Have self-collection tests been approved by the FDA?
In May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved self-collection of primary human papillomavirus for cervical cancer screening in healthcare settings, creating a more convenient and private option – a move the American Cancer Society welcomed because it expands access to screening and reduces barriers.
“Despite the benefits of cervical cancer screening, not all women and people with cervixes are screened regularly,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer of the society, in a press release at the time. “Most cervical cancers are found in people who have never or only recently participated in cervical cancer screening. Therefore, introducing self-sampling in a health center as a screening method for this potentially deadly disease could have a tremendous impact.”
Tests included in the self-collection authorization included Onclarity HPV from Becton, Dickinson and Company and cobas HPV from Roche Molecular Systems.
But the researchers want to go one step further and aim to obtain approval for self-collection tests for use at home.
For example, after reviewing data from mid-term clinical trials, the FDA granted Teal Health priority status to submit final study data on the company’s Teal Wand home measurement device for FDA review.
While home screening is already possible in other countries, according to the NYT, this method could be approved in the US early next year.
