The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first-ever at-home cervical cancer screening test, providing patients with an alternative to traditional in-clinic pap smears. The Teal Wand, developed by San Francisco-based women's health company Teal Health, is designed for individuals aged 25 to 65 who are at average risk for cervical cancer.
The newly approved screening test detects human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus responsible for nearly all cervical cancer cases. This milestone approval comes after clinical studies confirmed that self-collected samples using the Teal Wand perform with comparable accuracy to those collected by healthcare professionals.
How the Teal Wand Works
The Teal Wand functions similarly to a tampon applicator, featuring a large swab that users can insert themselves to collect a cervical sample. This design eliminates the need for a speculum, the device traditionally used during in-office screenings that many patients find uncomfortable.
The FDA designated the tool as a breakthrough device following clinical trial results that demonstrated a 96% accuracy rate compared to clinician-performed screenings. This high level of precision addresses a critical concern for at-home medical testing.
"As a mom and a woman, I get how easy it is to put your own health last," said Kara Egan, CEO and co-founder of Teal Health, in a news release. "That's why this FDA approval means so much; it's not just about an innovative new product, it's about finally giving women an option that actually makes sense for their lives — something that can be done quickly and comfortably at home."
Addressing a Critical Healthcare Gap
According to Teal Health, one in four women falls behind on cervical cancer screening, often due to difficulties scheduling in-person gynecologist appointments. This problem is particularly acute for women in rural areas who may need to travel significant distances to access care.
The company's research found that 86% of study participants believed they would be more likely to stay current with cervical cancer screening if they could perform it at home. Additionally, 94% indicated they would prefer self-collection if they knew it was accurate.
"This is about increasing access to care and making sure we have more options to get that care," Egan explained.
The American Cancer Society recommends women get screened for cervical cancer every three years starting at age 21. The Teal Wand offers a solution that could help more women adhere to these guidelines.
Availability and Insurance Coverage
Teal Health plans to begin shipping the kits in June, starting in California before expanding nationwide. The company is currently working with major insurance providers to establish flexible payment options.
Since cervical cancer screening is considered preventive care, the test would likely be covered without copays for most women, similar to an annual doctor's visit. This approach aligns with efforts to remove financial barriers to essential preventive healthcare.
Growing Investment in Women's Health Technology
Teal Health's FDA approval comes amid increasing investor interest in women's health technology. The company raised $10 million in its latest funding round in January to support production for the Teal Wand launch. The investment was led by Forerunner Ventures and Laurene Powell Jobs' Emerson Collective, bringing Teal Health's total funding to $23 million.
According to data from Deloitte, the women's health technology sector saw an influx of $680 million across 30 deals last year, with 41% growth from 2023 to 2024—significantly outpacing the 10% growth in overall health tech.
Maneesha Ghiya, managing partner at FemHealth Ventures, notes that investor interest in women's health is expanding beyond traditional areas like maternity and menopause: "Many more people are thinking about women's health more broadly and supporting these types of innovations — and that includes from the large, established players like medtech, pharma, biotech, large public companies."
The Pandemic's Influence on At-Home Testing
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated acceptance of both telehealth and at-home testing, creating a more favorable environment for innovations like the Teal Wand.
"The pandemic showed everyone that telehealth is a thing that is preferred… and made it easier to get care for most Americans," Egan said, adding that COVID also demonstrated "at-home testing was a thing that people could handle and really understand."
This shift in healthcare delivery models has opened new possibilities for preventive care that better accommodates patients' lives and preferences, potentially improving screening rates for serious conditions like cervical cancer.
