The traditional pap smear, a routine but often uncomfortable procedure for cervical cancer screening, may soon have viable alternatives. Healthcare companies are exploring self-collection methods that could make the process more convenient and less invasive.
Traditionally, a pap smear involves using a speculum to open the vaginal canal, allowing a healthcare provider to collect a cell sample from the cervix with a swab. The procedure, performed with the patient lying on their back with legs in stirrups, is essential for detecting early signs of cervical cancer but is often dreaded due to its discomfort.
For many, the pap smear is an uncomfortable yet necessary part of health care. However, for others, the discomfort is enough to deter them from visiting the doctor, potentially missing the early detection of cancerous cells.
This year, some healthcare companies are set to introduce self-collection options, allowing patients to bypass the traditional clinical setting. “Any step toward expanding screening and access in women’s health is a good thing,” said Dr. Jillian LoPiano, OB-GYN and chief health officer at Wisp, a sexual and reproductive health company, in an interview with CBS News. She emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication with healthcare providers to determine if these new methods are suitable for each individual.
Advancements in laboratory testing now allow samples to be taken from the vaginal walls rather than directly from the cervix, facilitating the possibility of self-collection, as reported by The New York Times.
FDA Approvals and Future Developments
In May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the primary use of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-collection for cervical cancer screening in healthcare settings. This approval marks a significant step toward offering a more private and convenient screening option. The American Cancer Society has welcomed this development, noting that it could help reduce barriers to screening.
“Despite the benefits of cervical cancer screening, not all women and people with a cervix get screened regularly,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society, in a news release. “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 adding self-collection in a healthcare center as a screening method for this potentially deadly disease can make a huge impact.”
The FDA has approved specific tests for self-collection, including the Onclarity HPV test by Becton, Dickinson and Company, and the cobas HPV test by Roche Molecular Systems. The availability of these tests may vary based on local regulations, healthcare infrastructure, and the readiness of medical providers to adopt these new methods, according to Dr. LoPiano.
Looking Ahead: At-Home Screening
Researchers are also working toward developing at-home self-collection tests. The FDA has already granted priority status to Teal Health’s “Teal Wand” at-home collection device after reviewing its clinical trial data. While at-home screening options are available in other countries, The New York Times reports that this method could receive FDA approval in the United States as early as next year.
Dr. LoPiano noted that the timeline for the widespread availability of at-home tests depends on regulatory approvals, manufacturing, and distribution logistics. “Typically, once a test is approved by the FDA or other regulatory bodies, it may take additional time for it to become commercially available to consumers,” she explained. “It is tough to say when we will see these at-home tests come to market, but with the current pace of innovation, we might see some options become available in the next one to two years.”
As these advancements continue to develop, they offer hope for more accessible and less invasive cervical cancer screening options, potentially increasing participation and early detection.