The company’s FDA-authorized self-collection device now serves over 15 million women across three states.
Teal Health has expanded availability of its US Food and Drug Administration-authorized at-home cervical cancer screening device to New York and Florida, just weeks after launching in California, the company announced.
The expansion brings the Teal Wand, the first FDA-authorized self-collection device for at-home cervical cancer screening, to more than 15 million women of screening age across the three states. The move comes in response to strong demand and a growing waitlist of women seeking access to the service, according to a release from the company.
Early user data reveals significant screening gaps that the technology aims to address. Among Teal’s initial customers, 52% were overdue for cervical cancer screening, and 19% had never been screened despite being within the recommended screening age range.
“We’ve heard our waitlisters loud and clear,” says Kara Egan, CEO and co-founder of Teal Health, in a release. “Expanding into New York and Florida is a direct response to the demand we’ve seen in these regions.”
Clinical Laboratory Testing Integration
The Teal Wand enables women to collect their own samples at home, which are then mailed to certified laboratories for HPV testing using the same highly accurate HPV tests recommended by medical guidelines for cervical cancer screening. The device tests for human papillomavirus, which causes nearly all cervical cancers.
The at-home screening system includes both the collection kit and telehealth services, with Teal Medical providers prescribing the kit, reviewing laboratory results, and coordinating follow-up care when needed. Clinical studies show the method is as accurate as traditional in-office collection, with 94% of women preferring the at-home approach.
“Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet too many women face obstacles that keep them from getting screened,” says Dr Liz Swenson, medical director at Teal Health, in a release. “By bringing the Teal Wand to New York and Florida, we’re making it easier for women to take control of their own health with a screening option that is not only accurate, but also comfortable and convenient.”
Market Access and Reimbursement
The screening service is available through in-network insurance plans, direct payment, or HSA/FSA accounts. The device is prescribed for individuals at average risk, with medical eligibility determined by national screening guidelines.
Teal Health plans additional state expansions in the coming months. Women in other states can join a waitlist to be notified when the service becomes available in their region.
The San Francisco-based company is a member of the Cervical Cancer Roundtable, a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the Cancer Moonshot initiative focused on eliminating cervical cancer as a public health concern in the US.
Photo caption: Teal Wand
Photo credit: Teal Health
