A prominent health committee has proposed that women have the choice to conduct their own sample testing for cervical cancer screening, as announced on Tuesday.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has put forward draft recommendations that aim to increase screening rates and to inform women about the possibility of taking their own vaginal samples to test for the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to cancer.
According to the recommendations, women in their 20s should continue to receive a Pap test every three years. However, for those aged 30 to 65, an HPV test can be conducted once every five years.
Notably, these HPV tests could be administered using samples that the women collect themselves, either in a mobile clinic or medical office, or by a healthcare provider.
Women within this age group still have the option of choosing a Pap test performed by a healthcare professional every three years or a combination of a Pap and an HPV test every five years.
Dr. John Wong, the vice chair of the task force and an expert from Tufts University School of Medicine, expressed optimism that self-collection could facilitate broader screening participation, thereby helping to diminish the occurrence of cervical cancer among women.
Regulatory authorities in the U.S. recently broadened the application of two HPV test kits to encompass self-collection, and research indicates that the accuracy of samples taken by women is comparable to those collected by doctors.
Currently, these tests are restricted for use within healthcare facilities, although at-home testing may be an option in the future.
Human papillomavirus is a widespread virus primarily transmitted through sexual contact. While most HPV infections resolve naturally, persistent infections can result in cervical cancer. The majority of cervical cancer cases arise among women who have not been effectively screened, diagnosed, or treated.
To carry out the sample collection, individuals insert a swab or brush from the testing kit into the vagina and rotate it. The collected sample is then placed in a tube for laboratory analysis.
The HPV tests are specifically designed to detect high-risk strains of the virus, whereas Pap tests are meant to identify abnormal cervical cell changes.
Several countries, including Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, have already adopted self-collection methods for cervical cancer screening.
Over the past decade, cervical cancer-related deaths in the U.S. have decreased, thanks in part to the availability of a recommended HPV vaccine for preteens, which helps in preventing cancer in individuals of all genders. Nonetheless, nearly 14,000 new cervical cancer cases were identified in the U.S. this year, with an estimated 4,360 fatalities.
Notably, Black, Native American, and Hispanic women experience higher death rates in comparison to white women, and those living in remote locations also face elevated mortality rates.
For a significant number of women, transgender men, and nonbinary individuals, the option to collect their own samples may offer a more comfortable experience than traditional medical examinations involving stirrups and speculums.
The committee’s draft recommendations have not deviated significantly from their guidance published in 2018. For instance, women younger than 21 do not need cervical cancer screenings, nor do those over 65 who have maintained a consistent record of normal screening results. Additionally, women of any age who have undergone a total hysterectomy are exempt from screening requirements.
The proposals are open for public comment until January 13.
