It’s Time for a New Way to Screen for Cervical Cancer
Key takeaways:
- An abnormal Pap test result means that cell changes were found on your cervix
- An abnormal result typically does not mean that you have cervical cancer, though changes may have been caused by HPV
- An abnormal result can mean many things, and it’s important to work with your doctor to understand both your result and any next steps you should/can take
- A likely follow-up to an abnormal Pap test result is a colposcopy, in which your doctor will use a magnifying lens to look at abnormal cells within your cervix
I am so proud and excited to introduce Teal Health. We’re an ambitious and passionate team that is boldly creating the future of healthcare that women deserve – starting with at-home cervical cancer screenings. We’re launching with the support and shared vision of our amazing early investors which include Emerson Collective, Felicis Ventures, Metrodora, and Serena Ventures, among other awesome firms and individuals. We feel so lucky and energized to be working to eradicate cervical cancer.
Early cervical cancer detection is critical for women to stay healthy, if caught early, 93% of cervical cancers are preventable, but in contrast a late-stage diagnosis has an approximate 5-year survival rate of only 18%. Cervical cancer screening, often referred to as a Pap smear, is a critical piece of women’s health, yet it is currently a universally disliked experience. If you are a woman who has experienced a speculum exam – you know what I am talking about! The current experience poses a lot of very real barriers and as a result, 1 in 3 women weren’t currently up to date on their screening pre-pandemic. This has only gotten worse, as there was a 94% decline in cervical cancer screenings in 2020. When you look deeper at these numbers, you’ll see the vast disparity in screening rates within different communities – Black women are 50% less likely, and Asian women are 30% less likely to be screened than white women in the US. On the flip side of that, self-collect initiatives have been shown to increase screening by over 2x, and in our pilot study, 89% of women said they would be more likely to get screened if they had the Teal self-collection option.
Whether you are someone who gets screened regularly or has been deterred from screening because of the current process: It’s time for a new way to screen for cervical cancer – a way that takes into account a woman’s experience and makes it as comfortable, convenient, and compassionate as possible.
Comfortable: Let’s be honest. The speculum is an uncomfortable experience whether because of pain or the vulnerable position. Self-collection is far more comfortable than clinician collection. Instead of using a speculum, the self-collect experience is similar to inserting a tampon. We’ve designed the Teal self-collect wand with input from a diverse set of women to increase confidence and comfort in the collection for primary HPV and Pap cytology triage. In our pilot study, 100% of women were able to collect an adequate sample for both tests and 97% of women found the device to be somewhat or very comfortable.
Convenient: Women are busy, very, very, very busy. We want to stay healthy, but something has to give as there never seems to be enough time in the day. Teal understands that most women work, in or out of the house, and a lot of women have kids or are primary caregivers. So we will meet you where you are, when it’s convenient for you, by offering support and appointments after hours. You’ll never need to go further than your mailbox to stay up to date on this critical screening. Simply order a test to be sent to your house from your phone or computer. Collect your sample in the privacy of your own home and send the kit back. The collection itself takes less than 5 minutes. You will learn more about your results and next steps by booking a telehealth appointment with a member of our medical team at a time that works for you.
Compassionate: While HPV is nothing to be ashamed of, it is something to be aware of. Nearly all sexually active men and women will get HPV at some point in their life. It’s just important to get screened so that you can ensure it doesn’t become cervical cancer. We understand that cancer screenings can be scary. There is always the wonder of “What if I have it?” But remember, 93% of cervical cancers are preventable, and that’s our goal – to help you prevent it. Our team is empathetic and supportive and our medical team has deep experience. We will ensure you understand your results and next steps, so that you can stay healthy.
We’re doing something really big here – it’s important because it’s cancer, but it’s also important because women haven’t had their healthcare designed for them. This at-home cervical cancer screening is the first step in welcoming women into a new healthcare experience that is more equitable, accessible, and empowering.
Welcome to Teal Health, we’re so happy to be here.
