Cervical cancer is predominantly caused by persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), with types 16 and 18 accounting for approximately 70% of cases. Dr. Kathy MacLaughlin, a family physician at Mayo Clinic specializing in cervical cancer prevention, highlights the importance of HPV screening but notes that some patients face barriers to tests requiring a speculum exam, leading to lower screening rates in certain populations.
To address these disparities, Mayo Clinic will soon offer an FDA-approved self-collection HPV test to eligible patients. This alternative screening method is expected to be available at Mayo Clinic practices in the Midwest starting February 5, with plans to expand to their locations in Arizona and Florida.
Traditional cervical cancer screening involves a clinician collecting a cervical sample for Pap and/or HPV testing. The new option aims to increase participation in screenings. "We're calling it the HPV self-collection test," says Dr. MacLaughlin. "The difference is that instead of your clinician putting in a speculum and doing a swab of the cervix, the patient would use a self-collection device to get a vaginal sample to test for HPV."
Dr. MacLaughlin describes the test as quick and painless, designed for individuals who face challenges with speculum exams due to disabilities, mobility issues, cultural or religious reasons, or trauma history. The procedure occurs privately within healthcare settings like exam rooms.
"The device is inserted just like a tampon into the vagina," she explains. "The little plastic wings on the side control insertion depth... And then they would take the plunger and push that in... Once done, the patient removes the entire device... This will get sent to the lab for testing."
Dr. MacLaughlin advises discussing options with healthcare providers: "The most important thing is to get screened." She emphasizes early detection: "The beauty of screening is that we're catching things before it is cancer when it's still treatable as precancer."
Currently, self-collection must occur within healthcare settings and isn't approved for home use yet; however, this may change in coming years as home-based self-collection could eventually gain approval.
