Learning About the HPV Self-Collection Test for Cervical Cancer Screening

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It spreads through skin-to-skin genital contact. There are many types of HPV. They’re grouped as low-risk or high-risk.

Low-risk types can cause genital warts (papillomas).

High-risk types cause most cases of cervical cancer and some cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and mouth and throat.

An HPV test checks for high-risk HPV infections. A primary HPV test done by a doctor is one way to screen for cervical cancer. An HPV self-collection test is a way for you to collect your own sample for HPV testing. You use a swab to collect cells from your vagina, and then you send the sample to a lab for testing. The test may be done at home or in a doctor's office.

Although the self-collection test is an option, having a doctor collect an HPV sample from your cervix is preferred. That way, the lab can do more testing on that sample if anything abnormal is found.

If anything abnormal is found in a self-collection test, you’ll need to see a doctor. They will collect another sample and send it for more testing.

You should only use HPV self-collection tests that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

HPV self-collection may be done for many reasons. For example, you may do it if you:

• Have trouble getting on the exam table.
• Feel anxious about getting a pelvic exam.
• Have pain or discomfort during a pelvic exam.
• Have a history of sexual trauma.
• Have certain cultural or religious beliefs.
• Have a gender identity that is different from your physical body.
• Have trouble traveling to a doctor’s office.

The HPV self-collection test can be done at home or at a doctor's office. A doctor will order the test and provide the collection device or kit. To do HPV self-collection, follow the instructions on the kit. The kit will tell you how to prepare for the test, how to use the swab to collect a sample, and how to mail it to the lab for testing.

In some cases, HPV self-collection tests are not advised. Ask your doctor about using a self-collection test if you:

• Have a history of cervical cancer.
• Have had abnormal tests or precancers.
• Have had an organ transplant or stem cell transplant.
• Have an HIV infection.
• Are taking medicines that suppress your immune system.
• Were exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth. DES is a medicine that was sometimes given during pregnancy between 1940 and 1971. People who were exposed to DES before they were born may be at higher risk for cervical cancer.

The time between HPV screening tests depends on which test is done and your test results over time.

• If your test is self-collected and your results are normal, you can test again after 3 years.
• If your test is collected by a doctor and your results are normal, you can test again after 5 years.