While telehealth has filled the gap for some issues, you cant exactly get a pap smear via Zoom.
At-home HPV tests could change that.
According to Kaiser Health News,HPV self-sampling is already promoted in countries like Australia and the Netherlands.
First things first: Anyone whos ever had a pap smear knows that theyre the opposite of comfortable.
The thought of giving myself one at home sounds just a frightening as a DIY wax.
When doctors visually examine the service theyre able to look for signs of cervical cancer.
board-certified OB/GYN and chief medical director atBonafide Health
The at-home tests would just test for certain cancer-causing strains of HPV, the human papillomavirus.
Pictorial instructions or online video instructions would make this an easy task for many, she says.
After all, women do at-home pregnancy tests, urine testing for infection, and use tampons.
There are currently at-home HPV tests available fromNurxandEverlywell.
The Nurx test, for example, costs $49 if you have insurance or $79 without it.
An HPV test would just test for the presence of HPV.
If you read that sentence multiple times and are still unsure what it said, same.
Dr. Dweck believes that these cumbersome guidelines are part of the reason why women arent getting regular HPV testing.
She also attributes the decline in screening to lack of insurance or knowledge about the importance of screening.
Testing is so important because cervical cancer is largely preventable.
Dr. Minkin suggests that even those who are vaccinated against HPV continue to get regular checkups.
HPV is the cause of almost all cervical cancer.
Its those undiagnosed cases that cause women problems.
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