The Impact of Cancer and the Key Role of Prevention

Did you know that one of the top public health issues in the United States is cancer? In 2022, it was estimated that there would be almost 2 million new cancer cases in America alone. Of that 2 million, approximately 14,000 cases are estimated to include cervical cancer specifically.

Research has also shown that most cervical cancer cases affect women between the ages of 35 and 44. For women who do not participate in routine screening, early diagnosis can often be delayed because some women may not have any signs or symptoms in the early stages.

However, with advances in public health and medical technology, more than 90% of cervical cancer cases can be prevented with regular screening and timely HPV vaccinations. Despite this, cervical cancer screening has dropped by 94% in 2020 and has remained 35% below pre-pandemic levels even after stay-at-home restrictions have been lifted. As a result, late-stage cervical cancers are on the rise.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month – let’s get back on track with cervical cancer screening.

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What Is Cervical Cancer?  

Before we can effectively prevent, diagnose, and treat cervical cancer, it’s critical for people to understand what cervical cancer is.

Cervical cancer is a cancer that affects the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects the uterus to the vagina.

Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death in women. Fortunately, cervical cancer screening has played a significant role in improving health outcomes. Because prevention is so vital, here are a few tips you can follow to reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer

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Prevention Tip #1: Get the HPV Vaccine

The vast majority of cervical cancer cases can be traced back to the human papillomavirus, typically referred to as HPV. This virus is sexually transmitted. Because it’s largely asymptomatic, it’s easy for one partner to spread it to another unknowingly.

The good news is that there is a highly effective vaccine that can help to protect against HPV. Most primary care providers recommend that both males and females get vaccinated at 11-12 years old as part of their routine vaccination schedule. You can still get vaccinated up to the age of 26 as part of routine vaccination. In some circumstances, you may be eligible for the vaccine up to age 45; this requires shared decision-making between you and your provider.

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Prevention Tip #2: Practice Safe Sex

According to the CDC, approximately 9 out of 10 cases of cervical cancer can be linked to one or more strains of HPV. Since HPV is a sexually transmitted virus, there are several steps, in addition to vaccination, that you can take to reduce your risk of getting it. These include:

• Using latex condoms when having sexual intercourse with your partner
• If you’re sexually active, get routinely screened for sexually transmitted diseases. It’s also important to have this discussion and share this information with your partners

Prevention Tip #3: Get Screened for Cervical Cancer and HPV

One of the most important proactive steps that you can take to keep yourself safe and healthy is to get screened for cervical cancer and HPV regularly. This can be done by a routine primary HPV test or a co-test which pairs a HPV test with a Pap smear (based on your age and current guidelines).  Currently, this test is done by your provider, who uses a speculum and collects a small number of cells from your cervix, which is then sent to a lab for analysis

See below for current screening guidelines in the US:

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Source: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/cervical-cancer-screening-beyond-the-basics

Take Action Today

National Cancer Prevention Month is a reminder to make sure your cervical cancer screening is up to date and if eligible, receive the HPV vaccination.

Teal Health is pleased to announce that we are working to introduce the first FDA-approved at-home cervical cancer screening kit that will put more screening options directly into patients’ hands. But, while you are waiting for us to be able to get Teal Health’s kit in your homes – don’t delay your regular screening.

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.

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Early cervical cancer detection is critical for women to stay healthy, if caught early, 92% 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, in 2019, 23% of women were overdue for their cervical cancer screening. This has only gotten worse during the pandemic, as there was a 94% decline in cervical cancer screenings in 2020. While screening engagement has slowly recovered, still 1 in 4 women are behind on their cervical cancer screenings today. 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, 94% would prefer the Wand^TM to a clinic-based exam and 87% of women said they would be more likely to get screened if they had the Teal self-collection option.

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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.

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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 Wand with input from a diverse set of women to increase confidence and comfort in the cervical cancer screening process. In our pilot study, 98% were able to use the Teal Wand^TM correctly, 97% found the instructions easy to follow and completed their self-collection in under 5 minutes (mostly under 2 minutes), and 92% of women found the device to be somewhat or very comfortable.

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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.

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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, 92% 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.

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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.

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Welcome to Teal Health, we’re so happy to be here.