At-Home HPV Test Aims to Revolutionize Cervical Cancer Screening

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – July 23, 2026 – A groundbreaking pilot study launched by Teal Health and UC Davis Health is set to test a new frontier in preventive medicine, aiming to integrate at-home cervical cancer screening directly into a major health system’s routine care. The collaboration will deploy the Teal Wand, the first FDA-authorized at-home self-collection device for HPV testing, to reach women who are due or overdue for this life-saving screening, potentially establishing a new, more accessible standard of care.

The initiative, funded by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant, represents a critical step toward closing persistent gaps in cancer prevention. By weaving an at-home testing option into existing clinical infrastructure, the partners hope to create a scalable model that could transform how health systems approach preventive care nationwide.

The Persistent Gaps in a Preventable Disease

Despite being one of the most preventable cancers, cervical cancer continues to pose a significant public health challenge in the United States. While national screening rates hover around 75%, this figure falls short of public health goals and masks deep-seated disparities. A substantial portion of the eligible population remains unscreened or overdue, a group that faces the highest risk of developing invasive cancer.

Research reveals stark inequities along racial and ethnic lines. Non-Hispanic Black women are 60% more likely to die from cervical cancer than non-Hispanic White women, while Hispanic women face a 51% higher incidence rate. These disparities are driven by a complex web of socioeconomic and systemic barriers, including lack of insurance, transportation challenges, the need to take time off work, and cultural or language barriers.

Furthermore, the traditional in-clinic Pap test or HPV screening, which requires a pelvic exam, can be a source of anxiety, discomfort, or embarrassment for many, acting as another deterrent. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, causing a dramatic drop in screening rates and widening existing care gaps. In response, global and national health organizations have been advocating for more accessible solutions. The World Health Organization's global strategy aims to eliminate cervical cancer, and the American Cancer Society recently updated its guidelines to endorse primary HPV testing with self-collected samples as a viable screening method.

A New Standard of Care from the Comfort of Home

The pilot program directly confronts these challenges by empowering patients to take the first step in screening from the privacy of their own homes. Teal Health’s device, the Teal Wand, received FDA authorization in May 2024, marking it as the first device cleared for at-home vaginal self-collection for HPV testing nationwide.

Through the pilot, eligible women between the ages of 30 and 65 who are identified as due or overdue for screening will be contacted through UC Davis Health’s existing patient portal, MyChart, as well as by email or text. After completing an eligibility screening, participants will receive a kit mailed directly to their home. The collected sample is then returned by mail to be processed at UC Davis Health’s in-house laboratory. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the accuracy of HPV tests using self-collected vaginal samples is comparable to those collected by clinicians, making it a reliable and effective alternative.

“This is an important milestone in making at-home cervical cancer screening more accessible through the health systems women already trust,” said Kara Egan, CEO and Co-Founder of Teal Health. “UC Davis Health was looking for a partner that matched their in-clinic accuracy, delivering results that providers and patients could trust. By embedding Teal's FDA-authorized Teal Wand and telehealth platform into existing health system workflows, we're working toward a future where preventative care is accurate, easier to access, and easier for health systems to deliver at scale.”

Weaving Innovation into the Fabric of Healthcare

A core focus of the pilot extends beyond patient convenience to the operational complexities of health system integration. Successfully implementing a new diagnostic tool at scale requires it to work seamlessly within established digital infrastructures. To achieve this, Teal Health and UC Davis Health have deeply integrated the ordering, lab processing, and results reporting into Epic, the health system's electronic health record (EHR), using standard HL7 interoperability protocols.

This technical integration is designed to automate processes, reduce the manual workload for clinical teams, and ensure that results are immediately available to providers within the patient's record. This creates a closed-loop system that not only facilitates the initial screening but also flags patients who require follow-up care, a critical component often missing in fragmented healthcare journeys. The goal is to build a repeatable, plug-and-play model that other health systems can adopt, thereby accelerating the nationwide availability of at-home screening.

“The future of preventive care lies in delivering evidence-based services in ways that are more accessible, equitable, innovative, and responsive to patients' lives,” stated Heather Leisy, medical director of Population Health Quality at UC Davis Health. “By expanding screening options we can help more individuals receive the screenings that prevent disease and improve long-term health.”

Empowering Patients and Pursuing Health Equity

Ultimately, the success of the program will be measured by its human impact. Researchers will closely evaluate screening completion rates, patient engagement, and the program's ability to successfully reach women who have been historically left behind by the traditional healthcare system. By removing logistical and personal barriers, at-home screening has the potential to dramatically improve health equity.

Patient empowerment is a key benefit. The ability to self-collect a sample offers a degree of privacy, comfort, and control that is absent from in-clinic procedures. This patient-centered approach is expected to resonate strongly with individuals who have avoided screenings due to fear, past trauma, or cultural reservations.

“This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to explore how at-home screening can expand access to preventive care and offer a more convenient, accessible, and patient-centered option for staying up to date on recommended screenings,” explained Julie Dang, assistant director for Community Outreach and Engagement at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and a lead researcher on the study. The pilot marks a significant step in Teal Health’s broader strategy to partner with health systems and public health organizations, pushing forward a future where life-saving preventive care is no longer confined to the clinic walls.