Cervical cancer screening just got easier, less invasive, and more accessible for millions of people.
In the United States, an estimated 13,360 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in 2025, with estimated 4,320 deaths. Compare that to 2022, when around 662,301 new cases were diagnosed globally, with 348,874 deaths. Screening for cervical cancer has greatly evolved in the years since the discovery of the pap smear technique over a century ago.
HPV and cervical cancer
As we gained more knowledge around cervical cancer’s association with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection, HPV testing was incorporated into the recommendations for cervical cancer screening. Over the years, the screening guidelines have recognized HPV testing as being important, and even central to the screening process. Historically, testing has always involved visiting a medical provider to get an invasive pelvic exam to obtain a swab from the cervix. Needless to say, that results in many patients avoiding care due to anxiety around the exam.
One way to counter that trend is to do away with the need for anyone else to do a pelvic exam altogether. And sure enough, that is exactly the direction in which the guidelines have evolved.
FDA approves self-collected HPV testing
Guidelines from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) formally published earlier this year confirm that HPV testing, whether clinician-collected or self-collected, is the preferred screening modality for individuals between ages 30 and 65 years, with mandatory insurance coverage starting January 1, 2027.
The American Cancer Society recommends that clinician-collected specimens are preferred but self-collected specimens are also acceptable for average-risk individuals between ages 25 to 65 years. This is an exciting development with the FDA now approving specific combinations of HPV assays and collection devices.
Notably, self-collection requires a prescription from a healthcare provider to ensure that results are managed appropriately. To learn more about offering easy community-based self-collected HPV testing with clinical oversight, as well as many other diagnostic and preventative screenings, contact our Health team today.
Disclaimer: This blog content and linked materials are not intended as individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should not be considered as such. Any readers with medical concerns should contact a licensed healthcare provider. This blog is provided for informational purposes only.
