United States: As per the reports, the first shipments of self-collection HPV tests for cervical cancer screening are presently on their way to doctors’ offices across the US.
More about the news
The US Food and Drug Administration greenlighted in May the tests for patients to have the option to collect their vaginal samples for cervical cancer screenings instead of undergoing traditional HPV tests or Pap smears, which involve a speculum to screen for the disease.
Patients could collect their own urine samples in a healthcare setting, such as a doctor’s office, urgent care, or pharmacy clinic.
Currently, there are two healthcare businesses, namely, Roche and medical technology firm BD, that have already provided HPV tests, which can be accessed with self-collected samples.
Generally, most cervical cancer screenings involve a test for human papillomavirus or HPV, as most cervical cancers are caused by the virus.
Shipments are to arrive soon
Shipments would provide a self-collection method, which would make screening more accessible for patients, leading to more women being screened, as said Dr. Jeff Andrews, board-certified gynecologist and vice president of Global Medical Affairs for Diagnostic Solutions at BD.
Every year, there are more than 11,000 new cases of cervical cancer in the US, which is being diagnosed and causes the death of four thousand women, as the CDC stated.
According to Andrews, “In other countries in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, we know that adding the option of self-collection has reached some of those women who were previously under-screened. So that’s the main goal, is to develop a methodology that would appeal to persons with a cervix who would otherwise not be screened,” as CNN Health reported.
Moreover, “In the United States in particular, almost 30% of women are unscreened or under-screened,” he said.
He continued “Those women are the ones most likely to have cervical cancer. About two-thirds of cervical cancers occur in women who are not screened within the interval,” because in the pre-time time interval for which women are recommended to screen.
What are ways to screen for cervical cancer?
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommended screening for cervical cancer with the help of cervical cytology, which experts also call it a Pap test or Pap smear, for every three years for women ages who belong to the age group – twenty-one to twenty-nine.
For those women aged above 30 till 65, the USPSTF recommended screening every three years with cervical cytology alone and every five years with high-risk HPV testing alone.
Generally, gynecologists perform by collecting samples for HPV testing, cervical cytology, or both. Also, any of those screening methods in which samples are collected, and women could feel uncomfortable for some patients when they involve a speculum.
According to Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, “Almost all cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with certain types of HPV,” as CNN Health reported.
“Self-collection can expand access to screening and reduce barriers, which will give more people the opportunity to detect, treat, and ultimately survive cancer,” she added.