FDA Approves Self-Collected Vaginal Samples for Screening of Cervical Cancer
In a groundbreaking move, the FDA has approved the use of self-collected vaginal samples for screening for cervical cancer. Health care giants Roche and BD have announced that FDA approval has been granted for self-collected samples with HPV tests.
Cervical cancer is primarily caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and screening for this virus can help identify individuals at risk of developing the disease. By allowing patients to collect their own samples, access to screening can be expanded and barriers such as painful or awkward pelvic exams can be reduced.
The BD Onclarity HPV Assay and Roche’s cobas HPV test are now FDA-approved for testing HPV on self-collected samples. With more than 11,000 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed each year in the US, adding self-collection as a screening method can have a huge impact in preventing this potentially deadly disease.
Looking ahead, the FDA could potentially consider allowing self-collection to be done at home in the future. Screening for cervical cancer remains crucial as early cases may not exhibit any symptoms. In addition to screening, important steps to prevent cervical cancer include vaccination against HPV, avoiding smoking, using condoms, and following up with a doctor if abnormal results are detected.
This approval marks a significant advancement in the field of women’s health and underscores the importance of regular screening for cervical cancer. Stay tuned for more updates on this topic as it continues to develop.
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