Fact checked by Jim Lacy
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new option for cervical cancer screening: self-collected vaginal swabs. People who can’t — or prefer not to — undergo a pelvic exam can now collect their own sample at a physician’s office, urgent care clinic, or pharmacy. Research shows these samples are as accurate as those collected during a traditional pelvic exam.
“If there is no other reason to have a pelvic exam, patients may be able to defer a pelvic exam or only have [one] every two years, in shared decision-making with their doctor,” says Emma Barber, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at Northwestern Medicine.
Northwestern is piloting the test alongside routine Pap smears. If results continue to match, the self-swab may soon become a standalone option. Patients should still undergo a pelvic exam if they experience pain or abnormal bleeding.
More than 11,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. The human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection, causes most cases.
Insurance plans typically cover HPV screening, including self-collection. The HPV vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers. If you or your children haven’t received a vaccination, talk with your doctor.
