Doctors have long recommended regular cervical cancer screenings. Traditionally doctors perform these exams using a speculum, which often say is uncomfortable and, for many, quite painful. 

Some recent developments could make a large number of these screenings easier.

In early January, the Health Resources and Services Administration, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, updated its guidelines to say that self-administered tests are an acceptable way to screen for human papillomavirus. HPV is a sexually-transmitted disease that causes the majority of cervical cancer cases. 

OB-GYNs are hopeful that at-home testing will make cervical cancer screenings  easier to access…. and significantly more comfortable. 

Guests:
Dr. Linda Eckert, professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington School of Medicine

Related links: 
New Guidelines Endorse Self-Swab Alternative to Pap Smear for Cervical Cancer Testing - The New York Times
Cervical Cancer Risk Factors | Cervical Cancer | CDC
The FDA has approved an at-home HPV test. What you need to know : NPR

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Doctors have long recommended regular cervical cancer screenings.&nbsp;Traditionally doctors perform these exams using a speculum, which often say is uncomfortable and, for many, quite painful.&nbsp;
Some recent developments could make a large number of these screenings easier.
In early January, the Health Resources and Services Administration, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, updated its guidelines to say that self-administered tests are an acceptable way to screen for human papillomavirus. HPV is a sexually-transmitted disease that causes the majority of cervical cancer cases.&nbsp;
OB-GYNs are hopeful that at-home testing will make cervical cancer screenings&nbsp; easier to access&hellip;. and significantly more comfortable.&nbsp;
Guests:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Dr. Linda Eckert, professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington School of Medicine</li>
</ul>
Related links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/well/self-swab-tests-cervical-cancer.html">New Guidelines Endorse Self-Swab Alternative to Pap Smear for Cervical Cancer Testing - The New York Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cervical-cancer/risk-factors/index.html">Cervical Cancer Risk Factors | Cervical Cancer | CDC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/01/07/nx-s1-5668259/the-fda-has-approved-an-at-home-hpv-test-what-you-need-to-know">The FDA has approved an at-home HPV test. What you need to know : NPR</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Many patients find cervical cancer screenings uncomfortable and, sometimes, painful. New health guidelines offer patients an alternative.  