Self-collected vaginal specimens are now acceptable for cervical cancer screening, according to new guidelines from the American Cancer Society. Clinician-collected cervical specimens are still preferred.

The American Cancer Society released the updated guidelines Dec. 4, with key changes regarding the development of self-collection tools for HPV (human papillomavirus) testing and new recommendations on when individuals can safely stop screening for the disease.

These changes follow the recent approval of HPV self-collection testing by the Food and Drug Administration in May. The Teal Wand is an at-home vaginal sample self-collection device, used to test for HPV. The wand features a sterile sample ball used to swab the inside of the vagina.

“These updated recommendations will help to improve compliance with screening and reduce the risk of cervical cancer,” said Dr. Robert Smith, senior vice president, early cancer detection science at the American Cancer Society and senior author of the report. The report was published in “CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians," the flagship journal of the ACS

Research has shown that long-lasting infections with certain strains of HPV cause virtually all cervical cancers. It's the most common sexually transmitted infection, but it's also preventable thanks to the vaccine Gardasil-9, which is known for historic drops in cancer. However, ACS recommends that "average-risk women and individuals with a cervix at average risk initiate cervical cancer screening at age 25 and undergo primary HPV testing every five years through age 65."

Cervical cancer screening programs have been widely successful, but 13,360 cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year, and an estimated 4,320 people will die from the disease, according to the report.

Changes to the cervical cancer screening guidelines

Testing is recommended every five years for clinician-collected cervical specimens, and every three years for self-collected vaginal specimens.

Before discontinuing testing, ACS recommends having negative primary HPV tests or negative co-testing at ages 60 and 65.

Co-testing is when an HPV test and a Pap test are done together. Pap tests look for changes to the cells in your cervix, while primary HPV testing tests for HPV directly. If primary HPV testing is not available, three negative Pap tests every three years is acceptable before stopping screening, with the last test at age 65.

Cervical cancer is rare before age 25, so these guidelines apply to women ages 25 to 65. Women older than age 65 who have followed the above guidelines can safely exit screening. These guidelines also do not apply to women who have had a hysterectomy (with removal of the cervix), unless they have a history of high-grade precancerous lesions (abnormal cells that have a high risk of developing into cancer if left untreated, but are not yet cancerous).

Self-screening can alleviate geographic disparities in cervical cancer

Despite major strides in reducing cervical cancer, socioeconomic and geographical disparities remain.

Individuals living in rural areas are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cervical cancer. Mortality associated with the disease was 42% higher in rural vs urban counties in recent years, according to a 2025 study published in JAMA.

“Over 46 million, or 14%, of the U.S. population live in rural areas that often require the need to travel long distances to access health care,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of the ACS CAN. “Self-collection options are a critical resource for these individuals and other underserved populations.”

The published guideline report also includes a patient page that answers questions about the disease, related symptoms, prevention and treatment.

“This is an important step towards ending cancer as we know it, for everyone,” Lacasse added.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: American Cancer Society announces new cervical cancer screening guidelines

Reporting by Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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