All the modern cervical cancer screening tests – that is, the Primary HPV test and co-test (HPV test + Pap test) – are good at finding cancer and precancer. The primary HPV test is better at preventing cervical cancers than a Pap smear alone and does not add more unnecessary procedures, which can happen with a co-test.

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Cervical cancer screenings, first introduced in the 1940s and called the Pap smear, have evolved in the last couple of decades, however, the collection method has remained the same: a cervical collection by a provider during a speculum exam, until now.

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Let’s break it down.

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• First, you'll most likely recognize the term Pap smear rather than cervical cancer screening or HPV test. This is confusing because in the last ~20 years, screening usually includes a human papillomavirus (HPV) test and an updated cervical cytology test. Also, by naming it a Pap smear, some women are unsure of what the exam is actually testing for. For background, the term Pap smear came from the last name of  Dr. Georgios Papanicolaou, who in 1942 invented a new stain (the Pap stain) to look at cervical cells to screen for cancer, a technique which is still used today.
• Second, screening guidelines used to require yearly exams because Pap smears alone are less sensitive when identifying cervical changes and only catch cell changes that have already happened. It then changed to every 3-5 years. Many of us were excited because we don’t enjoy the speculum experience, but do we know why the screening intervals changed? Spoiler: it's the HPV test.
• Lastly, the exam was always coupled with a breast and full pelvic exam, but this also changed recently. 

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If it is a cervical cancer screening, why do we call it a Pap smear?

The short answer: It’s habit! Many people associate cervical cancer screening with getting a Pap smear. This is understandable, given Pap smears were the first and only screening method for cervical cancer for 70+ years. 

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The Pap smear tests for cell changes that have already happened in the cervix, which could indicate precancer or cancer of the cervix. These changes are usually caused by an infection with a high-risk type of HPV. However, the Pap smear alone has a sensitivity (a measure of accuracy) of only 53%, meaning that it can miss abnormal cervical cell changes almost half of the time. 

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Once we learned in the 80s-90s that HPV was associated with almost all cervical cancers, screening transformed to test specifically for HPV. But, we still often see the screening referred to as a Pap smear because it’s what many people are used to calling it.

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Primary HPV Test

When you screen using the Teal Wand, you are collecting a sample to be tested on an FDA-approved primary HPV test for cervical cancer screening (Roche cobas® Primary HPV test). The primary HPV test is the most sensitive screening test for cervical cancer and is recommended by the American Cancer Society and the United States Preventive Services Task Force. 

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An HPV test detects whether you have a current high-risk HPV infection, which is critical because having high-risk HPV is the single most important risk factor in developing cervical cancer. Compared to the Pap smear, HPV tests can also detect infections at earlier stages, before cancer has developed.

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The Teal Wand is FDA-approved, and the sample finds HPV-related cervical precancer 96% of the time when it is present, which is as accurate as samples collected by a clinician using a speculum and brush. 

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Extended Screening Intervals

It was the introduction of the primary HPV test that extended the screening intervals from every 1-3 years (using only the Pap smear) to every 5 years using HPV testing (the co-test, which combines Pap and HPV testing, is also recommended every 5 years). This extension in the screening guidelines can be confusing, especially for women who were used to getting the Pap smear every year. But through extensive research of HPV, it is understood that the virus progresses slowly and can take years, even 15-20 years, to develop into cervical cancer. 

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With routine screening and follow-up care, cells infected with high-risk HPV can be caught early and treated before they progress into cervical cancer. Therefore, screening per guidelines is very important, but your own screening intervals could change depending on your screening history. Any history of HPV can shorten your screening intervals, so be sure to discuss your screening history with your provider.

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HPV testing is also the reason that self-collection options, like the Teal Wand, are possible. HPV can be detected from a sample collected from the vagina versus only the cervix. Since self-collecting with a Primary HPV test is new, the American Cancer Society recommends screening every 3 years even with normal results. This is different from the current guidelines for Primary HPV testing when a sample is collected in-person by a clinician using the speculum and brush - that interval, with normal results, is every 5 years. Just as we saw the screening intervals evolve decades ago, the screening guidelines for self-collection (at-home and in-clinic) will likely also evolve as more data is accumulated over time. See more about cervical cancer screening guidelines.

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Pelvic Exams Are No Longer Routine

A pelvic exam is when a provider inserts gloved fingers into your vagina and puts pressure on your abdomen to feel for your cervix, uterus, and ovaries to check for gynecological problems. Pelvic exams were traditionally done routinely after every speculum exam for cervical screening. In 2018, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) stopped recommending routine pelvic exams in non-pregnant patients without symptoms, as the potential harms and discomfort outweighed the benefits for these patients. "Pelvic examinations should be performed when indicated by medical history or symptoms." Similarly, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) both recommend against routine pelvic exams in non-pregnant, asymptomatic women.

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At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening for Primary HPV

The evolution in cervical cancer screening over the past decades has led to significant advancements in testing, and it is exciting to see this progress now be translated into how a woman can experience her screening. With the Teal Wand, you can now be in control of your experience by collecting your own sample at home, comfortably and privately. And you can feel confident that your sample is being tested on an FDA-approved primary HPV test, the most accurate test for cervical cancer screening. 

Quick Links to Sections:

• Know your test
• What is high-risk HPV
• Reading your results
• Normal results
• Abnormal results
• Invalid results

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Knowing what type of cervical cancer screening test you have had is important because the type of test performed, along with your current and past results, determines if additional tests or procedures are needed, or when you should screen again.

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What screening test does Teal Health perform?

When you screen with Teal Health using the Teal Wand, you are collecting a sample for a primary HPV (human papillomavirus) test. The Teal Wand is FDA-approved and has a 96% sensitivity – the same as screening with a clinician using a speculum – which means that samples collected with the Wand almost always detect HPV-related precancer when it is present.

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A primary HPV test is the recommended and preferred cervical screening method by the American Cancer Society and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). This test looks for a current high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infection. Screening for hrHPV is critical because having a persistent or continued infection is the single most important risk factor in developing cervical cancer, as almost all cervical cancers are caused by hrHPV.

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HPV (human papillomavirus) is a group of 200+ viruses. HPV is very common – according to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly all sexually active adults will get HPV at some point in their lives. Some types of HPV cause warts (ie. on hands, feet, or genitals) while others cause infection – if the infection persists, it can lead to cancers of the cervix, genitals, anus, and throat through sexual skin to skin contact.

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Sexually transmitted HPV types are categorized into two groups: low-risk and high-risk HPV. High-risk HPV that persists over many years is the cause of almost all cervical cancers. 

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The HPV types that have the highest risk of causing cervical cancer (high-risk HPV) are used to screen for cancer, while those with low or very low risk of causing cancer are not.

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Teal tests your sample for 14 types of high-risk HPV, which are most commonly associated with cervical cancer. Among them, HPV 16 and 18 are the highest risk types and are known to cause most cervical cancers if they are left without proper follow-up care. We report the remaining twelve high-risk HPV types together as ‘HPV Other’ – these less commonly cause cancers, but are still considered high-risk types that need appropriate follow-up care. 

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Most high-risk HPV infections do not lead to cancer, as our immune systems can clear them within a few years. However, according to the CDC, about 10% of women with the infection will develop long-lasting HPV infections that put them at risk for cervical cancer. This is why follow-up care for an HPV infection is so important to prevent infections from progressing into cancer and to make sure you stay healthy.

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When your results are ready, which should be within a week of your sample being sent to the lab, you will be notified to view them in your Teal portal.

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You will see one of the following results:

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• Normal (HPV negative): means high-risk HPV was not detected in your sample.
• Abnormal (HPV positive): means high-risk HPV was detected in your sample. Your result will specify which HPV types were detected.

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Either high-risk HPV was detected in your sample, or it was not. 

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A normal result means you successfully collected your sample, and no HPV was detected. This is good news! A Teal provider will review your result in the context of your screening history and let you know if any follow-up appointments are needed (such as a video visit) and when you should screen next.

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If your screening history has been:

• Normal (no HPV detected in prior screenings): You will be advised that your next screening is due in 3 years, as recommended by the American Cancer Society and other leading organizations.
• Abnormal (HPV has been detected in a screening within the past 5 years): In most cases, you will be recommended to screen again in 1 year to keep an eye on the infection (which can be dormant). If you’d like, you can also connect with a Teal provider to discuss further.

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Let your Teal provider know if you are not sure of your screening history, so they can recommend a suitable care plan. If you learn more about your screening history after receiving your results, please let your provider know, as this may change when you need to screen again. 

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Once your screening results are available in your Teal portal, they will be accompanied by a letter from a Teal provider outlining recommended next steps.

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An abnormal or positive HPV test result does not necessarily mean you have cervical cancer, however, it does mean you need to follow up with a Teal provider to discuss whether additional tests or procedures are needed.

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With routine screening and appropriate follow-up care, high-risk HPV infections are likely caught in the precancerous phase, when they can be much more easily treated and cervical cancer can be prevented. 

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We test your sample for fourteen types of high-risk HPV: 16, 18, and twelve others (reported together as ‘HPV Other’). All the HPV types we test for require follow-up care to look for changes on the cervix from the HPV infection. 

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If you receive an abnormal or positive result for any type of hrHPV, you need to schedule a video visit with a Teal provider to discuss next steps. The type of HPV, along with your screening history, will help you and your provider decide what the best next steps for you are. 

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In the rare occasion that the lab was unable to determine whether HPV was detected in your sample, this will be reported to us as an ‘invalid’ outcome. If this happens, a member of the Teal team will be in touch to coordinate next steps. 

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This can happen if, for example, your sample did not have enough cells to run the HPV test, if you collected after using certain vaginal products, or had an active vaginal infection. 

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Welcome to a more comfortable and private cervical cancer screening.

At Teal Health, we believe that how you experience your healthcare is just as important as the expert care you receive from our medical providers. 

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We have designed a cervical cancer screening process that is accessible, flexible, and informative every step of the way. Below is a detailed view of what you can expect once you register and order your Teal Wand.

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Spoiler: We will be sending you text messages (SMS) and emails throughout your at-home screening. This is to ensure you are fully supported and aware of what happens next in the process. When your screening and any follow-up care are complete, we will greatly reduce these communications until it is time for you to screen again.

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1. Register and Attend Intro Visit 

• You will complete the Eligibility and Account Registration process, which will end with you scheduling a 10-minute virtual Intro Visit with a Teal medical provider. 
• You will attend the virtual Intro Visit. This visit is a required final step in ordering your Teal Wand screening kit. Our medical team cannot prescribe and ship your kit until you complete the Intro Visit. During this visit, you and the provider will discuss your past cervical cancer screening results, confirm your eligibility for at-home screening, and go over the Teal Health at-home screening process.
• Additionally, if you are able to access your previous screening history and results, please upload this information to your Teal account.‍
  

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Your previous results, combined with your upcoming at-home screening results, help our providers determine when you should screen next or if additional care is needed. Not everyone follows the standard 3-5 year screening guideline.

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• Once the Intro Visit is complete, our providers can prescribe you the Teal at-home screening box.

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2. Teal Wand is Shipped

• Once it is prescribed by a Teal medical provider, the Teal Wand box will ship to you.
• You will receive a notification with the tracking information. All shipments are done through the United States Postal Service (USPS).

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3. Teal Wand Kit Arrives at Your Address

• The screening box will arrive by USPS at the shipping address you specified.
• No activation is required. The Teal Wand is a prescription device, therefore, we have already validated and labeled the device and screening box for you. 
• If there are any issues with your shipment, please contact our team at help@tealhealth.co or message us through your Teal portal.

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4. Collect Sample and Ship 

• Everything you need to collect your sample and send it to the lab is included in the Teal Wand box. 

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If you are pregnant, on your period or bleeding, have a vaginal infection, or have had vaginal intercourse or used a vaginal product in the past 48 hours (or 1 week if you have used Metronidazole Vaginal Gel), please wait to collect your sample.

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• There are detailed instructions in your box that indicate how to collect your sample (usually takes less than 5 minutes) and package it to mail to the lab.
• You will need to mail your sample via USPS within 24 hours of collecting. 

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Avoid screening on days the USPS is closed, such as Sundays and holidays. You can drop this package into a standard USPS outgoing mailbox (if it fits), bring it to the USPS post office, or schedule a USPS pickup for the day you plan to self-collect. 

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• If you have any questions while collecting your sample, you can view our frequently asked questions, watch the instructional video, or message our team for help. 

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5. Sample Received at Lab

• You will be notified via email and text when your sample is on its way to the lab.
• Once it arrives, the lab will process your results, and a Teal medical provider will review them.
• Once your sample has been processed by the lab, they will dispose of the sample.

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6. Screening Results Available 

• Your results will be available in your secure Teal portal, and you will be notified via email and text when they are available to view.

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We will not publish results for inadequate samples. So, if you received a result, you can be confident that you self-collected correctly (as over 98% of people do!). 

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• In addition to your results, you will receive a note from your Teal medical provider with instructions on your next steps.

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7. Follow-Up Steps 

• If your results require further discussion, we will request that you schedule a video visit to meet with a Teal medical provider. 
• You can schedule this visit from within your Teal portal, as soon as you view your results.
• During this call, the provider will discuss your results, what these mean in light of your screening history, and when you should screen next. If needed, they will refer you to an in-person clinic for follow-up care.
  
  • If referral care is needed, we will provide you with the contact information for a local provider to continue evaluating your cervical health. 
  • You will need to schedule that appointment, but we are here to help you if you need it. The Teal Health team will follow up to see that you have completed this critical step.

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8. Complete 

• When your screening process is complete, we will request that you rate your experience and provide feedback. We are always looking for ways to improve the overall experience for our customers, and your feedback can help us do that. 
• We will also be in touch via text and email when it’s time for you to screen again.

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We hope to make this the most comfortable, convenient, and easy process for you.

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The Teal Wand has been FDA-authorized, allowing you to self-collect a vaginal sample for your cervical cancer screening from the comfort and privacy of your home. At the lab, your sample will be tested on an FDA-approved primary HPV test. Primary HPV testing is the most sensitive screening test for cervical cancer and is recommended by the American Cancer Society and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). 

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We are on a mission to make sure every person with a cervix is screened for cervical cancer, and we will update our at-home screening eligibility as medical guidelines change over time. 

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In this guide, we discuss who can use the Teal Wand (right now). 

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Who Can Self-Collect at Home? 

Per guidelines from the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP), self-collection is suitable for women at average risk for cervical cancer. Primary HPV testing is recommended by the American Cancer Society for women between the ages of 25-65 who have an intact cervix (not had a full hysterectomy with removal of the cervix).

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If you are pregnant or within 6 weeks of giving birth, we recommend waiting to use the Teal Wand. This is because the safety of the Teal Wand has not been studied in women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. If you have a pregnancy due date, you can let us know when you register for Teal, and we will reach out to you when you can screen. 

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Abnormal Bleeding Needs to Be Evaluated by a Provider

If you are experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding, you will need to first have this evaluated by a provider before you can screen at home. The provider can help you determine the cause of the abnormal bleeding and, based on this, whether at-home self-collection is right for you. 

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This is because abnormal bleeding can be a symptom of cervical cancer. Symptoms of cervical cancer can include pain or bleeding during sex, unusual spotting, or a mass you can feel in the cervix. If you have any of these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider right away. 

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What counts as abnormal bleeding? 

• Bleeding repeatedly after sex (when not on your period)
• Bleeding in between periods and/or more than 10 days per month 
• Bleeding after menopause (meaning bleeding after you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months)

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What does not count as abnormal bleeding?

• Spotting at the beginning or end of your normal period
• Bleeding from progesterone-only contraceptives
• Bleeding from continuous birth control pills

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Those Who Are High-Risk for Cervical Cancer Should Continue Established Care 

There are certain groups of people who may have a higher risk for cervical cancer based on their screening history and other medical factors. This includes people who:

• Had a LEEP or cold knife procedure for moderate to severe precancerous changes in the past 25 years (HSIL, CIN2, CIN3, atypical glandular cells) 
• Have a medical history of any of the following:
  
  • Cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, endometrium, or uterus
  • HIV
  • In utero DES (diethylstilbestrol) exposure 
• Are currently taking immunosuppressant medications

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These factors could mean that you have a history of high-grade precancer, cancer, or are at a higher risk for developing cervical precancer and cancer. In these cases, it is recommended that you remain under closer surveillance with your existing healthcare team. During this surveillance period, you may be undergoing more frequent screenings that involve cytology tests or regular colposcopies. 

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It is important that you stay engaged in this close care with your established providers, so that there is no disruption to the plan in place to keep you healthy.  

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‍Teal follows current medical guidelines from leading organizations, and we will continue to update this eligibility guide as the recommendations for self-collection evolve.

We did it! This is such a huge day for Teal and women! The Teal Wand has been FDA authorized!  Now women can screen for cervical cancer from home - no more stirrups or speculum. You can screen using the same test as is used in the doctors office, with the same accuracy, just collected comfortably from home with the Teal Wand!

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And we didn’t just do it….we did it the right way! Everything about Teal is designed for a women’s experience. From the Wand that is designed for a woman's confidence and comfort when collecting, to the amazing Teal Medical providers, the beautiful box that welcomes you to the at-home collection, results that are delivered with a personalized note from your provider. It’s truly awesome.

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Because experience matters. And the Teal team has created an exceptional one.

This wasn’t easy. It took a herculean effort from our tiny but mighty team to make it happen. I’m filled with pride—and gratitude.

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A Collective Victory

Like any great accomplishment, this was a team effort, both within our own team, our extended partners, our PIs, our trial patients, our investors, our friends, our families, and our champions and supporters tucked in all pockets of industry and life. Thank you all so much!

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But today, three teammates deserve special recognition: Trena Depel, Megan Fitzpatrick, and Alex Millie.

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At Teal, we don’t just aim to raise the bar in women’s health—we’re resetting it. Women deserve the best, and these three held that standard at every turn: in the product design, in the FDA clinical trial, and through the entire regulatory journey.

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Designed for Women, Proven by Research

Alex took our original IDEO prototype—designed to empower women to self-collect—and refined it tirelessly through multiple iterations, guided by patient data from our pilot phase. The result? A device that delivers both comfort and confidence, that women love.

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Clinical Trial Results:

• Comfort: 94% of participants preferred Teal to the standard of care‍
• Confidence: The Teal Wand matched clinician-collected accuracy at 96%
  
  

Turns out the FDA finds these numbers impressive as well! 

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Breaking Records, Raising Standards

Now, let’s talk about the clinical trial—and the powerhouse duo behind it.

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Trena and Megan led a 16-site study, the largest nationwide U.S. trial on self-collection, and completed enrollment in under five months, months ahead of plan. That speed and success reflect their talent, the dedication of our PIs, and the eagerness of participants to advance research and innovation in women’s health.

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At Teal, we each keep a candle on our desks that reads: “She believed she could, so she worked her ass off and she did.”  No one embodies that more than Trena and Megan.

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From managing communication with trial sites, to synthesizing mountains of data, to crafting a masterful submission—what these two have accomplished is almost unimaginable. And yet Trena wanted to go even faster, submitting and receiving FDA’s Breakthrough Device Designation, knowing it would put us on an accelerated path.

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Trena and the FDA were in near-daily contact these past few months, combing through every page of a 1,600-page submission. The goal? Ensure women have an at-home solution they can trust. FDA approval means women have this trust, they know that the Teal Wand is safe and effective. Women collecting a sample using the Teal Wand have the same accurate result as clinician-collected samples.

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Thanks to Trena and Megan, women now have the clarity and the product they deserve: Same test. Same accuracy. A more comfortable way to collect—from home.

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The Teal Wand is officially FDA approved. We launch in less than a month.

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Thank you for being part of this journey. Check medical eligibility to get started and see if Teal is right for you.

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Around 50% of counties in the United States, most being rural counties, do not have OBGYNs. This makes women’s healthcare particularly hard to access based on where you live. When it comes to cervical cancer, this lack of access can mean missing out on critical routine screenings – a Pap smear or HPV test – that can save lives. 

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Women across the United States face several relatable barriers to getting into a clinic for cervical cancer screenings. They report not having enough time, struggling to take time off work or find childcare, and avoiding the speculum exam because it is uncomfortable. These challenges are often especially felt in rural areas, where fewer than half of all women live within a 30-minute drive of an OBGYN.

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In Teal’s national clinical study, SELF-CERV, 24% of participants came from rural (agricultural or remote) areas and small cities and towns, largely from around Louisiana, Alabama, New England, and North Carolina. Within this group, over 1 in 4 had delayed or avoided their routine cervical cancer screening. They told us this was mostly because they could not find the time to get into a clinic. They also avoided the screening because they found the in-clinic speculum exam uncomfortable. 

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Recent research shows these patterns resonate broadly with women living outside urban areas. Nationwide, we have seen a sharp decline in cervical cancer screenings among women in rural areas since the pandemic. In 2022, only 49% of rural residents received a routine cervical cancer screening, compared to 64% of urban residents.

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Lack of access to healthcare not only means these women often delay routine screenings that can prevent cervical cancer, but they also do not receive timely diagnoses and treatments that can address cervical dysplasia at early stages, before it progresses to cancer. As a result, health inequalities between women living in rural and urban areas are widening. 

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Another recent study revealed that women in rural areas, particularly white women, are being diagnosed with cervical cancer more often than before. Moreover, the cervical cancer mortality rate is significantly higher across women of all racial and ethnic groups in rural areas compared to those in urban areas. Given that cervical cancer is preventable and can be eliminated with routine screening and preventive care, any increase in deaths from this disease is unacceptable. 

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Allowing women the option to screen for cervical cancer at home could make all the difference in rural counties. A large U.S. study found that offering at-home self-collection tripled cervical cancer screening engagement in rural regions. 

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Similarly, women in Teal’s national clinical trial overwhelmingly preferred at-home self-collection with the Teal Wand. This was true for our participants from rural and small town or city areas too: 84% found their Teal screening to be as or more comfortable than the speculum exam, and 85% said they would be more likely to stay up to date on their routine screening if they could screen at home using the Wand. 

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Here’s what our participants from rural areas and small cities or towns across the country had to say: 

“Having it shipped to me would be super convenient versus having to find transportation to the clinic that's an hour and a half drive away. That would save on gas, that would save on having to figure out a plan.”

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“For people that don't have transportation or time, they can do this in the comfort of their home.”

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“It was very quick and easy, and I like that I don’t have to go all the way to the doctor's office.”

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“I would recommend it as a great option if you do not want to, or cannot, come in person to a clinic for a Pap. I liked the privacy, and I felt empowered.”

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“The procedure is simple and can be done in the comfort of my home on my schedule. No need to plan a full day around an uncomfortable appointment.”

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“I think about women with limited access to healthcare. This could mean access to screenings that many women do not have.”

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May 2025 Update: The Teal Wand is FDA-authorized. Check medical eligibility to get started and see if Teal is right for you. If we are not available in your state just yet, you will be placed on our waitlist and we will notify you when we are available in your state.