But pap smears are important, because a pap smear can help detect precancerous cell changes before they develop into cancer. This is key to preventing cervical cancer or catching it early.
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Curious about how doing an at-home cervical cancer screening test works? Here’s everything you need to know, including how you can get the Teal screening test, how it works, how much it costs and what happens if you get a positive result.
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Emily Laurence
Dr. Swenson explains that the Teal test (which looks like a wand) collects cells from the vagina (not the cervix, which sits at the top of the vaginal canal) to test for HPV, which is a risk factor for those cell changes to occur. She says that according to clinical trials, the Teal wand detected HPV at the same rate as health providers collecting samples.
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Currently, the Teal wand is FDA-approved for people with a cervix at average-risk for cervical cancer. That means if you’ve had a full hysterectomy, you do not need this screening. The Teal wand is not approved for people younger than 25 and older than 65, who have already been screened for cervical cancer in the past 12 months, are pregnant, have a history of cancer affecting the reproductive system or who have had any previous treatment for cervical precancer within the last 25 years. As long as none of that applies to you, you qualify to try it.
To get access to the Teal wand, you go to their website and answer a short questionnaire to make sure you’re qualified to take it. If you have insurance, the test costs $99 and it costs $249 without insurance.
What It’s Like To Try the Teal At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening Test
After logging on to Teal’s website and filling out the short questionnaire, I was approved to try the Teal test myself. But first, I had to meet virtually with one of Teal’s gynecologists. I met virtually with Dr. Swenson, who asked some questions about my medical history (to double-check that I qualified for the test) and explained how to use the wand. Shortly after our call, I received a text from Teal saying that my Teal wand was on its way to me.
At one end of the wand there is a soft sponge, which is what is used to collect the cells from the vaginal wall. The other end of the wand has a handle and a dial that moves up and down and rotates.
After I rotated the dial several times, I gently pulled the wand out. Then, I pinched the edges of the sponge to remove it from the wand (touching it is okay) and put it in the labeled vial. The whole process took less than 10 minutes, and it wasn’t painful or uncomfortable at all. Most of that time was spent reading the directions.
Fortunately, my results were negative, which means I do not have HPV and am therefore not currently at risk for cervical cancer. Once I got my results, I downloaded them and sent them to my doctor to keep on file.
I can tell you first-hand that the new at-home cervical cancer screening test is simple and not at all uncomfortable. And it’s certainly better than an in-office pap smear! If you qualify to try it, my advice is to take advantage of it. The more you know about your personal health, the better protected you will be.
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Sources:
Cervical Cancer. Cleveland ClinicCancer Stat Facts: Cervical Cancer. National Cancer Institute. National Institutes of HealthDr. Liz Swenson, MD, FACOG, obstetrician-gynecologist and medical director at TealSwenson, E., VonderHaar, E., Ruiz, J., et al. (2026). Delivering HPV results via telehealth: Patient needs and engagement following an at-home self-collection study. Digital Health. Feb 10;12:20552076261421347. doi: 10.1177/20552076261421347Sharafadeen Okunade, K. (2020). Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 40(5):602-608Human papillomavirus. Office on Women’s Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Human papillomavirus and cancer. World Health OrganizationHPV vaccine: Who needs it, how it works. Mayo ClinicHence then, the article about i tried the first fda approved at home cervical cancer screening test here s what it s like was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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