FDA Approves First At-Home Test for Cervical Cancer Screenings

Pap smears are a vital tool for preventing cervical cancer because they can detect cell abnormalities before they become cancerous. Unfortunately, systematic barriers or a lack of comfort with the procedure means many people aren’t receiving it. But on Friday, the FDA approved the first at-home test for cervical cancer screenings that is a less invasive and potentially more accessible alternative to pap smears. The newly FDA-approved test was developed by San Francisco-based startup Teal Health. Like traditional pap smears, Teal Health tests for the human papillomavirus or HPV, which causes virtually all cervical cancers. However, it’s test, the Teal Wand, only requires a vaginal swab with a spongelike tool instead of inserting a speculum to scrape cells from the cervix. In a statement, Kara Egan, CEO and co-founder of Teal Health, said that the approval isn’t “just about an innovative product — it’s about finally giving women an option that makes sense for their lives — something th ... Read full article.