The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has revised its cervical cancer screening guidelines to include self-collection testing as an approved option for women aged 30 to 65 who are considered to have average risk. The update expands the range of screening methods available within existing cervical cancer prevention recommendations.
Cervical cancer screening relies on tests that have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Among the available screening tools, the most commonly used methods are the Pap smear and the human papillomavirus (HPV) test.
A Pap smear is used to identify abnormal cervical cells, while the HPV test is designed to detect high-risk strains of the virus. HPV is responsible for most cases of cervical cancer, which is why testing for high-risk HPV strains plays a central role in screening guidelines.
Testing for high-risk HPV strains is identified as the preferred screening method for cervical cancer and is recommended to be conducted every five years. Under the updated HRSA guidelines, women between the ages of 30 and 65 may now perform self-collection of samples for the high-risk HPV (hrHPV) test. This option allows patients to collect the sample themselves instead of having the sample collected by a healthcare provider.
The self-collection testing process can be completed in different settings. According to the guidelines, sample collection may take place in a medical office or be performed at home. Companies such as Teal Health offer at-home cervical cancer screening collection tests, which are mailed to a testing site. These services also include telehealth consultations to help women understand their test results.
While self-collection is now permitted for women aged 30 to 65, the updated guidelines do not eliminate existing screening methods. Patients in this age group continue to have the option to receive HPV testing or Pap smears through in-office visits with healthcare providers. The change adds an alternative approach rather than replacing current clinical testing practices.
For women between the ages of 21 and 29, the screening recommendations remain the same. The guidelines continue to recommend in-office cervical cancer screening using the Pap smear for this age group, with no changes to testing methods or settings.
HRSA explained that the guideline update reflects developments related to cervical cancer screening options. In a notice published in the Federal Register, the agency stated that it endorsed the guideline “to reflect the new evidence and developments supporting the expansion of options for cervical cancer screening through patient-collected hrHPV testing,” according to the notice.
The FDA approved self-collection tests in 2024 and 2025. In addition, the American Cancer Society updated its cervical cancer screening guidelines in December to include self-collection as an option.
The updated guidelines were developed by the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative (WPSI), a group funded by HRSA. WPSI convenes clinicians, academics, and consumer-focused health professional organizations to review evidence and recommend clinical guidelines focused on women’s preventive health.
The update also includes provisions related to insurance coverage. Most insurance payers will be required to cover the cost of at-home cervical cancer screening tests without cost sharing, such as co-payments, beginning in January 2027. Under the Affordable Care Act, preventive care and screening services included in the guidelines are required to be covered by insurance.
Additionally, the revised guidelines add language to ensure that insurance payers will cover the cost of further testing used to rule out cervical cancer when necessary. These additional tests include cytology, biopsy, colposcopy, extended genotyping, and dual stain testing.
HRSA Expands Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines to Include Self‑Collection
The HRSA announced updated cervical cancer screening guidelines that now include the option for self‑collection HPV testing for average‑risk women ages 30 to 65 years. This move represents a significant shift in preventive health, aiming to make cervical cancer screening more accessible and less invasive by allowing individuals to collect their own high‑risk HPV samples either in clinical settings or at home.
Self‑Collection HPV Testing to Improve Access
Under the new HRSA guidelines, high‑risk HPV testing is designated the preferred cervical cancer screening approach for average‑risk individuals aged 30 to 65, with self‑collection offered as an option alongside clinician‑collected samples. This broader choice is expected to help expand screening participation, particularly among women who may face barriers to traditional in‑clinic exams.The updated HRSA guidelines aim to improve access to cervical cancer screening for populations that are historically under‑screened, including rural residents, women with limited access to healthcare facilities, and those who may feel uncomfortable with traditional pelvic exams. By endorsing self‑collection HPV testing, HRSA is addressing both physical and psychological barriers that can prevent timely detection of cervical abnormalities
