FDA OKs Another At‑Home Cervical Cancer Screening Kit, Further Expanding Access

At-home self-collection methods for HPV testing help expand access to cervical cancer screening. Counter/Getty Images The FDA recently cleared another option for at-home self-collection for cervical cancer screening, further broadening access. The Onclarity kit from Waters Corporation is expected to be available in the coming months. The Teal Wand, another option for at-home HPV testing, is also available through a prescription. Experts say self-collection methods that test for HPV at home could reduce barriers to care and reduce cervical cancer diagnoses and related deaths. Cervical cancer is widely considered the most preventable form of cancer with routine screening and early detection of human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes 90% of cases. Now, the FDA has cleared another at-home option for cervical cancer screening, further expanding access. The Onclarity HPV Self-Collection Kit from Waters Corporation is a comprehensive screening tool that detects all high risk, cancer-causing HPV genotypes, the company said in a statement on April 8. “Expanding access to screening is one of the most important steps we can take to prevent cervical cancer, and at-home HPV self-collection is a game-changer for making screening easier to complete,” said Jeff Andrews, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Waters Advanced Diagnostics, Waters Corporation, in the statement. “When more patients are able to get screened, whether at home or in the clinic, clinicians have better information to identify risks earlier and intervene sooner. That allows us to spend less time trying to reach patients who have fallen behind on screening and more time focusing on prevention, follow-up care, and treatment for those who need it,” Andrews continued. Waters promises “broader nationwide access” to its self-collection kit, which will be available in the coming months and covered by private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare. Here’s what you need to know. Cervical cancer prev