U.S. Health Panel Recommends Self-Testing for Cervical Cancer Screening

New draft guidelines highlight self-collected HPV testing as a primary option for women aged 30 to 65, aiming to improve accessibility and early detection.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has proposed allowing women to self-collect samples for HPV testing as part of cervical cancer screening, with samples processed in healthcare settings.
Self-testing is recommended every five years for women aged 30 to 65, alongside traditional Pap tests or combined HPV and Pap testing options.
Studies show self-collected samples are as accurate as those collected by healthcare providers, potentially increasing screening rates among underserved populations.
HPV testing is now considered the preferred screening method for women over 30, as it better detects high-risk infections linked to cervical cancer compared to Pap tests alone.
The draft recommendations, consistent with 2018 guidelines, are open for public comment until January 13, with no changes for women under 21, over 65 with normal screening history, or those who have had a total hysterectomy.