CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – The American Cancer Society has published new guidelines for women when it comes to screening for cervical cancer, which are co-authored by a physician at the University of Virginia.
Doctor Andrew Wolf says these guidelines now include the option for women to self-test for HPV, the virus that causes almost all cases of cervical cancers. It’s simple – women can use the self-serve swab at the doctor’s office, and at home, rather than undergoing the traditional pap smear. Though the American Cancer Society says clinician-collected samples are still preferred, Wolf says the self-test recommendation will help widen the scope of screening.
According to Dr. Wolf, about a quarter of women in the U.S. are not up to date with cervical cancer screening, and in rural areas, that percentage jumps to half. Right now, there’s only one type of FDA-approved self-test, called the Teal Wand, which is available in 30 states, including Virginia…