Making Cervical Cancer Screening Easier and More Accessible | Mark H. Einstein, MD, MS, FACS, FACOG
Did you know that the health industry is exploring new ways to make cervical cancer screening simpler and more convenient?
Cervical cancer can often be prevented when caught early, but many people don’t get screened because of time, access, and other challenges. Here’s what you should know:
Self-Sampling: A New Option for Screening
Doctors now have a new method to screen for cervical cancer called self-sampling. This means you can collect your own sample using a swab—either at home or during a visit to your doctor’s office. It’s as simple as leaving a sample in the bathroom, just like you might leave a urine sample during a check-up.
This approach makes it easier for people who might not have time for a traditional screening or feel uncomfortable with the usual process. Self-sampling has been successful in other countries like the UK and Australia, and studies are now being done in the U.S. to ensure it’s just as effective.
Why This Matters
- Improves Access: Self-sampling is especially helpful for people in rural areas or those with busy schedules due to work, childcare, or other responsibilities.
- Breaks Barriers: Cervical cancer is closely linked to poverty, meaning those without easy access to healthcare are at higher risk. This new method can make screening more accessible.
- Helps with Follow-Up: For those needing repeat tests after treatment or who have had inconclusive results, self-sampling makes staying on track easier.
What Happens if You Test Positive?
If your test shows signs of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus linked to cervical cancer, further tests like a colposcopy may be needed. This process ensures you get the care you need to stay healthy.
Hope for the Future
With innovations like self-sampling, we can catch cervical cancer earlier, give people better access to care, and ultimately save lives. The goal is simple: to make sure no one suffers from cervical cancer again. If you’re due for cervical cancer screening, talk to your doctor about self-sampling and whether it’s right for you.
Mark H. Einstein, MD, MS, FACS, FACOG, is a gynecologic oncologist at Montefiore Medical Center and Co-chair of the SGO Cervical Cancer Task Force.
