(This post is about using a cervical cancer testing kit by yourself instead of having a medical professional do it for you. For standard or more traditional screening done in a doctor’s office, click here)
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally. In 2020, there were an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that in USA in 2022:
- About 14,100 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed.
- About 4,280 women will die from cervical cancer.
More than 50% of cervical cancers are diagnosed in underscreened women in the United States.
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What is self-testing cervical cancer screening?
As the name suggests, this is screening for cervical cancer done by yourself instead of a professional doing it for you.
This can be done either at home, and you ship out the sample to the laboratory, or is done at your doctor’s but in a private room or bathroom and by yourself.
How does it work?
There are 2 types of tests that are done through these kits:
- Cytology: This is an examination of the sample under a microscope to detect precancerous and even cancerous cells.
- HPV testing: This involves detecting the presence of cervical cancer-causing Human Papilloma Virus in the sample.
(Cytology and HPV tests are also part of traditional cervical cancer screening done by professionals)
HPV test on self-specimens, instead, is sufficiently accurate and is what is available for use.
The idea of using the kits is that the virus, if present, is shed from the cervix into the vaginal canal. Using a sampling device, a woman can insert it into her vagina to collect the specimen without the intervention of a medical professional. Depending on the protocol, the sample can then be shipped to the laboratory or handed over directly to them.
Do home kits replace samples taken by a professional?
There is increasing evidence supporting self-testing as a valid option for cervical cancer screening.
It is a part of national cervical screening in 17 countries (Albania, Argentina, Australia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, Peru, Rwanda, Uganda, and Sweden).
However, at the time of writing this post, self-test for cervical cancer is not yet FDA-approved and, in the USA, do not replace samples taken by a medical professional.
At the same time, it is better than not getting tested at all and, thus, may be considered an option in cases where appropriate medical help cannot be accessed.
What is the need for self-testing kits?
CDC reports that more than 50% of all new cervical cancers are in women who have never been screened or have not been screened in the previous 5 years of their lives.
Traditional screening methods that need pelvic examination may be associated with cultural taboos and social barriers or be difficult to access for certain populations like those living in rural areas.
Some women may feel discomfort or embarrassment to visit the doctor’s office for traditional tests.
Many report barriers like lack of time and transport to attend screening appointments.
Furthermore, money-wise, self-testing kits can be cheaper than a visit to a doctor.
Studies have found that invitations for self-testing are more accepted than testing by medical professionals.
It is hoped that self-testing will increase participation in screening and reduce the incidence of this preventable cancer, thus saving many lives.
What are the pitfalls of self-testing?
- One of the advantages of self-testing is the ability to screen women who do not have easy access to a medical professional. However, merely testing is not beneficial, and it is imperative to have a structure in place that can provide the treatment and follow-up needed in case a woman tests positive.
- For accurate results, the sampling procedure needs to be properly understood by the user, who may need the help of trained personnel.
- A study found that the use of the self-HPV test generated a lot of concerns. The study participants reported a fear of hurting themselves and faulty sampling resulting in a lack of confidence in the accuracy of the result.
Who should not self-test?
Anyone with abnormal bleeding, discharge, pain, or any abnormal symptom is not a candidate and needs evaluation by a medical professional.
What are the options available commercially?
(I have not vetted the commercial brands listed here, nor do I get any incentive from the company, monetary or otherwise. The claims made by the company are their own. These brands and others can be easily found on a quick internet search. The products are listed alphabetically, and I do not recommend one over the other.)
- Dr. Safe Hands
Available in India. Detects 13 high-risk HPV strains. Provides dome delivery and physical collection by their technician. - Everlywell
Detects 14 high-risk HPV strains. Each order is reviewed by a medical professional, and if the test is unsuitable for the customer, they are refunded. - Health Testing Centers
The individual can either choose to visit their local laboratory or receive a test kit through home delivery. After sample collection, they mail the test to their chosen lab. The laboratory then sends the results via email. - iDNA
The website claims 99.9% accuracy. The kit is home delivered and detects 14 high-risk HPV strains. - myLabBox
For females aged 30 and over. Detects 14 high-risk HPV. Comes with a pre-paid shipping envelope. It also offers free telephonic physician consultations.
Takeaway
- In the USA, more than 50% of cervical cancer is in the underscreened, with this percentage increasing in developing countries.
- Home cervical cancer screening tests aim to cover women who are unable to access medical services to test for cervical cancer.
- Multiple studies have attested to the success rates of home tests when compared to one taken at a doctor’s office.
- Multiple brands of commercially sold kits are available, but they should not be used in women with symptoms like abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding, pain, etc.
