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Cervical cancer is widely considered the most preventable form of cancer with routine screening and early detection of human papillomavirus (HPV)<\/a>, which causes The Onclarity HPV Self-Collection Kit from Waters Corporation is a comprehensive screening tool that detects all high risk, cancer-causing HPV genotypes, the company said in a statement<\/a> on April 8.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cExpanding access to screening is one of the most important steps we can take to prevent cervical cancer, and at-home HPV self-collection is a game-changer for making screening easier to complete,\u201d said Jeff Andrews<\/a>, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Waters Advanced Diagnostics, Waters Corporation, in the statement. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWhen more patients are able to get screened, whether at home or in the clinic, clinicians have better information to identify risks earlier and intervene sooner. That allows us to spend less time trying to reach patients who have fallen behind on screening and more time focusing on prevention, follow-up care, and treatment for those who need it,\u201d Andrews continued.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Waters promises \u201cbroader nationwide access\u201d to its self-collection kit, which will be available in the coming months and covered by private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare. Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Around While vaccination against HPV<\/a> is considered a first-line defense against cervical cancer, regular screening is still advised. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n In January, the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), updated its cervical cancer screening guidelines to endorse self-swab at-home tests for HPV<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n In May 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved<\/a> the Teal Wand, the first at-home test for cervical cancer. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The new Onclarity screening kit is expected to further expand access to cervical cancer screening, potentially saving lives. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Self-collection methods are thought to reduce barriers to cervical cancer screening, such as lack of access to care or discomfort during traditional screening methods like pap smears.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Improving early detection and reducing cervical cancer-related deaths, particularly among Black and Hispanic women, who face disproportionately high<\/a> risks of cervical cancer. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n The Onclarity at-home self-collection kit will be available with a prescription and mailed to your home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Samples are collected with a cervical swab at an individual\u2019s convenience and mailed to a participating laboratory for analysis. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The samples are processed using advanced robotics to ensure reliable and accurate results, the company stated. It\u2019s unclear what the turnaround time for results will be, but the Teal Wand typically takes about a week<\/a> to process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Diana Pearre<\/a>, MD, board certified gynecologic oncologist at The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, CA, said that overall, at-home self-collection methods are considered accurate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Indeed, Test results are shared with a patient\u2019s designated healthcare professional, who will help guide any follow-up and treatment decisions. Pearre said that depending on the findings, follow-up testing may be needed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pearre said that anyone interested in the Onclarity kit should ask their doctor for more information or visit the company\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThe benefits of testing at home are convenience [and] lack of need for a pelvic exam<\/a>, which can be uncomfortable for some individuals,\u201d Pearre told Healthline.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n