Teal Health: The at-home HPV test revolutionizing cervical cancer screening

Precancerous cervical changes are typically detected through Pap tests performed in a clinical setting. Early detection allows for timely treatment, and the American Cancer Society recommends routine cervical cancer screening for individuals aged 25 to 65 with a cervix (1).

Despite the test’s effectiveness, about one-quarter of at-risk US women delay screening, and cervical cancer still claims thousands of lives each year (2,3). Common reasons for delaying screenings include scheduling difficulties, embarrassment, and concerns about a man carrying out the screening (4).

The rise of at-home HPV testing: Introducing Teal Health

To overcome these barriers, San Francisco-based startup Teal Health developed the Teal Wand™ — the first at-home, self-collection human papillomavirus (HPV) test to be approved by the FDA. The test detects 14 high-risk strains of HPV, which is known to cause 99 percent of cervical cancer cases (5).

“Cervical cancer has become a disease of access,” said Christine Conageski, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the principal investigator of the SELF-CERV trial, which evaluated the Teal Wand™ (6). “To prevent cervical cancer, you need access to HPV vaccination and high-quality screening tests — a self-collection screening test increases access for patients that might not otherwise be able to come to a clinic,” she said.

To prevent cervical cancer, you need access to HPV vaccination and high-quality screening tests — a self-collection screening test increases access for patients that might not otherwise be able to come to a clinic.
- Christine Conageski, University of Colorado School of Medicine

How the Teal Health HPV test at home works

The Teal Wand™ is a long-handled, plastic device with a removable swab at one end. Individuals use it similarly to a tampon, inserting the device, deploying the swab, and rotating it 10 times to collect a sample. They then remove the swab, place it into a vial, and mail it to a laboratory for analysis, with results typically available within a week. If the results are abnormal, a Teal Health medical provider contacts the patient to advise them on the next steps.

Clinical validation of the at-home HPV test

The SELF-CERV trial enrolled 599 participants aged 25 to 65, each of whom provided both a self-collected and clinician-collected sample. The self-collected samples demonstrated 95.2 percent positive agreement with clinician-collected samples for detecting high-risk HPV and showed comparable clinical sensitivity (95.8 percent) for identifying high-grade cervical dysplasia (the presence of abnormal cells on the cervix). Most participants (92.3 percent) reported that the device was easy to use, and 93 percent said that they would prefer self-collection if the results were comparable to in-clinic testing.

John Wallbillich, a gynecologic oncologist at Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University who was not involved in the study or associated with Teal Health, believes the test could serve as a new entry point for cervical cancer screening. “To me the broader power is capturing more of the population because roughly half of patients with newly diagnosed cervical cancer didn't get adequate screening. And it's heartbreaking when we see a patient who has advanced cervical cancer because this disease is largely preventable with vaccination and proper screening.”

A person holds a mobile phone with the results of the at-home HPV test showing. — After self-collecting a cervical sample, people remove the swab, place it into a vial, and mail everything to a laboratory for analysis; results are typically available within one week.
Credit: Teal Health

However, Wallbillich cautioned that the system around the home-test must ensure proper follow up. “It’s important that there’s support in place for people who get an abnormal result,” he said. “We don’t just jump from a positive HPV result to surgery. There are several steps in between, and it’s essential that people are connected to healthcare providers who can guide them.”

The future of cervical cancer screening with Teal Health

The test’s price and insurance coverage will determine just how much the test expands access to screening, Wallbillich noted. The cost of the test is currently undisclosed, and Teal Health is working with insurers to ensure affordability.

Conageski thinks the test will bring savings that are difficult to quantify. “If patients receive a negative result through self-collection, they don’t need to come in for a Pap test. That frees them up to focus on other important aspects of care during primary care visits and could also open up appointment slots for other patients.”

Wallbillich added, “If this test can increase access — especially for people who, for whatever reason, aren’t currently getting screened — that’s a big win.”

Frequently asked questions about the Teal Health HPV test

What is the Teal Health HPV test at home?

A: The Teal Wand™ is an FDA-approved, self-collection device that allows individuals to perform an at-home HPV test. It detects 14 high-risk strains of HPV, which are responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases.

How accurate is the Teal Health HPV test?

Clinical trial results showed the test to have 95.2% positive agreement with samples collected by a clinician, demonstrating its high accuracy and reliability for detecting high-risk HPV.

Who should consider using an at-home HPV test like Teal Health's?

The Teal Health test is recommended for individuals aged 25 to 65 with a cervix who may face barriers to in-clinic screenings, such as scheduling difficulties, anxiety, or embarrassment. It serves as an accessible option to increase cervical cancer screening rates.

What happens if I get an abnormal result from my Teal Health test?

If your test results are abnormal, a medical provider from Teal Health will contact you to discuss the findings and guide you on the necessary next steps, ensuring you are connected to the appropriate follow-up care.

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