Women in Arizona can now order 1st FDA-approved, at-home Pap smear

Earlier this year, California was the first state to get access to an FDA-approved, at-home cervical cancer screening — often referred to as a Pap smear. And starting Wednesday, Arizonans can order this test online.

One in four women nationally are behind on this often uncomfortable screening.

Kara Egan is the CEO and co-founder of Teal Health, which developed an at-home Pap smear alternative that checks for HPV, the virus that causes nearly all cervical cancers.

"In our clinical trial, which was the 16-site nationwide trial, we showed you the exact same accuracy as a doctor when collecting the sample in the standard of care. So we detected disease at 96%, just like the doctor did," Egan said.

An in-office Pap smear requires a person to be in stirrups and have a speculum inserted. The cervix is then swabbed. With the Teal wand, Egan says 97% of trial participants said it was easy to use, and 98% collected an adequate sample.

"We use the Roche-Kobas HPV, it has an internal check. If there isn't enough sample, they will not run it, they will call it invalid. So only 2% of women will get an invalid. At that point, we'll just let you know and send you a new kit," Egan said.

Egan said the wand is similar to a tampon and designed for all body types.

"So you only insert the wand as far as it's comfortable for you, and then you just slide the dial up and you rotate 10 times," Egan said.

Like a Cologuard test, it's mailed back and the results are reviewed by a clinician.