FDA Approves Self-Collection for HPV Testing: What It Means for Cervical Screening

What people see in the news

In 2024, the FDA authorized a new way to collect a sample for cervical cancer screening: patients can now swab themselves for an HPV test in a health care setting, rather than having a clinician collect the sample from the cervix. Coverage framed it as a step toward making screening easier for people who face barriers to a traditional pelvic exam.

What it actually means

On May 17, 2024, the FDA approved expanded uses of two existing HPV tests so that a patient can self-collect a vaginal swab in a health care setting — for example, a doctor's office or clinic — when a clinician-collected cervical sample isn't feasible. The swab is then sent to a lab and tested for high-risk HPV, the virus that causes almost all cervical cancers.

The National Cancer Institute explains that the human papillomavirus (HPV) test checks cells for infection with high-risk HPV types that can cause cervical cancer. HPV testing is one of the recommended ways to screen, alongside the Pap test and the HPV/Pap cotest. NCI also notes that some clinics already offer the option to self-collect a cervical sample during an appointment, and that this is something to discuss with a health care provider.

The appeal of self-collection is access. NCI and the American Cancer Society point out that many people who develop cervical cancer were never screened or were under-screened. Removing part of the discomfort or logistical hurdle of a pelvic exam may help reach people who have been missed.

What this does and doesn't change

• These 2024 approvals are for self-collection in a health care setting. In May 2025, the FDA went a step further and approved the first prescription at-home self-collection device for cervical screening (the Teal Wand) — samples are still processed by a lab, and positive results still need clinician follow-up.
• Self-collection detects HPV. If HPV is found, follow-up — which may include a Pap test or a closer look at the cervix — is still needed, and that part typically involves a clinician.
• Screening intervals haven't changed. NCI notes that for people ages 30–65, an HPV test every five years is one recommended option. Vaccinated people still need screening, because the vaccine doesn't cover every high-risk HPV type.

If you're overdue or unsure what applies to you, our free screening check-up tool can help, and our guide to cervical cancer screening walks through the options.

Questions to ask a healthcare team

• Is HPV self-collection available where I get care, and am I a candidate for it?
• Which screening test and interval are right for my age and history?
• If HPV is found, what are the next steps?
• Even though I'm vaccinated against HPV, what screening do I still need?

New options can make screening feel more approachable. Free, plain-language cancer education helps more people understand what's now possible and stay up to date.