Self-collection kits for cervical cancer screening now being shipped, as some patients opt to forgo the Pap smear speculum

The first shipments of self-collection HPV tests for cervical cancer screening are being sent to doctors’ offices in the US. The FDA approved the option for patients to collect their own vaginal samples for screenings, making it more accessible. Two healthcare businesses, Roche and BD, have tests that can be used with self-collected samples. Most cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV, so screening for the virus is crucial. The hope is that self-collection will increase screening rates, especially among unscreened or under screened women. This method may eventually be available for home use as well.