Prime Highlight
- The US government has updated women’s health guidelines to allow eligible women to use at-home HPV self-tests, making cervical cancer screening more accessible.
- Health officials say the expanded options could help detect cancer earlier and reach women who miss routine screenings.
Key Facts
- Under the new HRSA guidance, average-risk women aged 30–65can choose high-risk HPV testing every five years, including self-collection, with insurance coverage starting January 2027.
- Federal data show that about half of cervical cancer casesoccur in women who have never been screened or are not up to date, while early detection offers a five-year survival rate above 90%.
Background
The U.S. government updated its women’s health guidelines to expand cervical cancer screening. The new rules let some women test themselves for HPV at home, making screening easier and helping doctors find cancer earlier, when treatment works best.
Under the revised guidance from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), average-risk women aged 30 to 65 are advised to undergo high-risk HPV testing every five years as the preferred screening method. The test can be done either by a clinician or through patient self-collection, including at-home kits. Private health insurance plans will be required to cover this option beginning January 2027.
Women in this age group can also choose to get both HPV and Pap tests every five years, or a Pap test alone every three years if HPV testing is not available. For women ages 21 to 29, the advice stays the same: they should get a Pap test every three years.
Health officials stressed that the update expands choices rather than replacing existing tests. The self-collection option is meant to help women who face barriers such as limited access to clinics, discomfort with pelvic exams, or scheduling challenges.
Public health experts say the change could help reach women who are currently missing routine screenings. According to federal data, about half of cervical cancer cases occur in women who have never been screened or are not up to date.
Cervical cancer rates in the US have dropped by more than 50% over the past five decades, largely due to regular screening. When detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 90%. However, survival falls sharply when the disease is found at later stages.
The guidance also clarifies that insurers must cover follow-up tests and diagnostic care after abnormal results without extra costs. Officials believe the expanded coverage and flexibility could be a major step toward reducing preventable deaths from cervical cancer.
