WASHINGTON — U.S. regulators have accredited the primary cervical most cancers testing package that enables girls to gather their very own pattern at residence earlier than delivery it to a laboratory, in keeping with a medical machine firm.
Teal Well being mentioned Friday the Meals and Drug Administration accredited its Teal Wand for residence use, providing a brand new option to gather vaginal samples that may detect the HPV virus that causes cervical most cancers. Presently, HPV checks and Pap smears are carried out at a well being clinic or physician’s workplace.
HPV self-collection checks should be accredited to be used at residence
An influential federal panel really useful final yr using self-collection of HPV samples to spice up screening. The FDA additionally just lately expanded using two older HPV checks for self-collection, however these should be accomplished at a medical workplace or cellular clinic.
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is quite common and is unfold by way of intercourse. Most HPV infections clear up on their very own, however persistent an infection can result in most cancers of the cervix. Most cervical cancers happen in girls who’re inadequately screened, identified or handled.
To gather a pattern, a swab or brush is inserted into the vagina and rotated, then the swab is put right into a tube or container and processed at a lab.
Teal Well being’s package requires a prescription, which clients can acquire by way of one of many firm’s on-line well being suppliers. The San Francisco-based firm mentioned it’s going to initially starting promoting the kits in California subsequent month earlier than increasing to different states. The corporate additionally mentioned it’s working with insurers on well being protection for the take a look at.
