Self-Collection for HPV Testing Provides More Accessibility for Cervical Cancer Screening

What Is HPV and Why Is It Important to Cancer Screening?

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which can cause cancer. About 30 HPV types are easily passed through sexual contact. Among these, two are responsible for more than 70% of cervical cancer cases. HPVs have also been linked to vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, penile cancer, anal cancer, and certain head and neck cancers.

Because of the close connection between HPV and cancer, detecting HPV is an effective way to predict cancer risk. If HPV is found in an individual’s cervix, then the patient can begin cervical cancer treatment before the cancer fully forms. This early start provides the best chance of defeating cancer quickly.

HPV Screening Recommendations

Routine screening refers to a medical test that patients receive regularly to detect cancer before it shows symptoms. There are two common screening methods for cervical cancer, both using samples taken during a pelvic exam:

• HPV tests: This screening approach looks for HPV in the cervix. It cannot detect precancer or cancer, but it does detect high-risk HPV types that are likely to cause cancer.
• Pap tests: This screening approach looks for cell changes or abnormal cells in the cervix that may be signs of precancer or cancer. It does not detect HPV.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends HPV testing every five years for people aged 25 to 65. If primary HPV tests are not available, then individuals can receive a co-test that combines the HPV and Pap tests. They may also receive a Pap test alone every three years.

Traditional HPV Screening Is Effective, but Can Have Limitations

While routine screening is the most effective way to detect precancer and cancer, about 30% of people do not get screened for cervical cancer at the recommended times. There are many logistical and financial obstacles that may make HPV screening difficult, including:

• Limited access to female healthcare providers
• No transportation to testing centers
• Need for childcare while at the hospital
• Inability to take time off work for an appointment
• No insurance to pay for medical care

These challenges make screening less accessible to people experiencing poverty, who live in rural areas, or who are from racial or ethnic minorities. Even among people who can reliably access pelvic exams, not all of them take advantage. Many people are unable to receive an exam due to physical disabilities, medical conditions, a history of trauma, or religious or cultural beliefs.

How Does Self-Collection for HPV Testing Work?

In May 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded its approval of HPV tests to allow for self-collection. This means individuals can collect their own vaginal samples without requiring a pelvic exam.

Two devices are currently approved for self-collection. One is similar to a large cotton swab, while the other resembles a tampon. Self-collection devices are provided by screening clinics to be used in a restroom or other private space. The patient inserts the device into her vagina to take a sample. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to be tested following the same methods approved by FDA for traditional screenings, meaning results for both are equally accurate.

The Future of HPV Testing and Cervical Cancer Screening

Approval for self-collection is a massive step forward for cancer screening accessibility. Testing does not have to be done with a women’s healthcare provider, meaning that people can be screened at a primary care office, mobile clinic, or whatever medical facility is most accessible to them. It also allows for a more private, less invasive process than a pelvic exam.

The advances do not stop here, either. Ongoing medical research is working to improve and expand the opportunities for HPV self-collection:

• The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is overseeing clinical trials to gather data on the accuracy of self-collection HPV testing, which may lead to expanded approvals.
• Several companies have developed self-collection kits to be used at home, which are currently undergoing trials in pursuit of FDA approval.
• Researchers are updating cervical cancer screening guidelines to account for self-collection for HPV testing.

Screening guidelines are typically updated every seven to 10 years, but cervical cancer research is advancing at a much more rapid pace. Patients can speak with their physician to determine the most appropriate test type, schedule, and process for their needs.

Find Cervical Cancer Screenings and Care Near You in NJ, CT, & MA

New developments in HPV tests for cervical cancer and precancer screening are helping to overcome barriers to accessibility. Regional Cancer Care Associates educates patients to help them avoid life-threatening cancer. RCCA specialists provide care to more than 30,000 new patients and 265,000 established patients each year. RCCA physicians offer patients innovative therapies, including immunotherapies and targeted therapy, cutting-edge diagnostics as well as access to approximately 300 clinical trials in community-based centers close to home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cervical Cancer

What causes cervical cancer?

Over 70% of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV infections. Other risk factors include:

• Having a sexual history that began before 18 and involved many partners
• Getting infected with HIV (AIDS)
• Contracting chlamydia
• Having a weakened immune system
• Using oral contraceptives long-term
• Getting pregnant before age 20
• Having three or more full-term pregnancies

What are the early signs of cervical cancer?

Early stages of cervical cancer do not cause symptoms. When symptoms develop later, they include:

• Pelvic pain during sexual intercourse
• Persistent pelvic or lower back discomfort
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods
• Periods that are longer or heavier than normal
• Unusual or foul-smelling vaginal fluid

It is important to note that the great majority of individuals who experience one or more of the symptoms listed above will not have cervical cancer. Nonetheless, it is important to consult a physician about these symptoms, particularly if they are pronounced, arose suddenly, or have persisted for an extended period.

What treatments are available for cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer can be treated with targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. More aggressive treatments are required as the cancer advances, which is why it’s important to identify cancer early.