BD began shipments in September and Roche said its tests will be available this fall.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)is a group of 200 sexually transmitted viruses.
HPV infections sometimes cause warts around the mouth, genitals, or anus that often go away without treatment.
Roche
Some HPV strains, however, can be cancer-causing.
Detecting high-risk strains early on allows providers to treat the infection and prevent the cancer from developing.
We dont want to detract people going to see their OB-GYN if thats been working for them all along.
But for many people, it hasnt, Montealegre said.
How Do HPV Self-Collection Tests Work?
HPV tests are not the same as Pap smears.
The HPV self-collection tests allow patients to swab themselves without needing a pelvic exam.
What Can the Self-Collection Tests Detect?
The BD test uses extensive genotyping, which means it reports the exact strain detected.
When Should You Opt for Self-Collection?
The accuracy of provider-collected tests and self-collected tests are identical, Montealegre said.
Just because you collect the sample yourself doesnt make it an inferior test.
Theres a lot of trauma in our population that makes getting a pelvic exam really painful and unpleasant.
And for many, there are cultural or religious objections to having this exam, Montealegre said.
For one, the self-collection tests only require the user to scrape the vaginal wall.
When your provider conducts an HPV test, they will swab the cervix.
Besides, HPV testing is just one part of a well-woman or OB-GYN visit.
How Can You Get a Self-Collection HPV Test?
Under the Affordable Care Act, cervical cancer screening is covered without an additional copay.
Self-collection tests should be covered the same as those collected by a provider.
The CDC also provides funding to states to offer freecervical and breast cancer screeningto people who lack insurance.
They can make the right recommendation of how frequently you should get screened.
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National Cancer Institute.HPV and cancer.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Cervical cancer: screening.
