Overview
- Self-collected vaginal samples are now an acceptable option for HPV screening, though clinician-collected cervical specimens remain preferred.
- Screening for average-risk people begins at age 25 and continues through 65, with five-year intervals for negative clinician-collected tests and three-year intervals after negative self-collected tests.
- Exit guidance specifies stopping at 65 after negative primary HPV tests or negative co-tests at ages 60 and 65, or after three consecutive negative cytology tests with the last at age 65 when other testing is unavailable.
- The FDA has cleared multiple self-collection pathways, including an at-home kit from Teal Health, enabling broader access outside traditional pelvic exams.
- Researchers report comparable performance for self-collected samples, though some studies show slightly lower sensitivity, and ACS cites 2025 estimates of about 13,360 cases and 4,320 deaths to underscore the need to boost screening, especially in underserved and rural communities.