Despite the prevalence of cervical cancer diagnosis and death in the US, data show a consistent decline in cancer screening.
About 4,000 women die of cervical cancer each year in the United States, and about 13,000 people are diagnosed with the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The most effective way to prevent cervical cancer is to administer an HPV vaccine. This provides protection against the HPV types that cause it most often, the CDC says. It is also important that women are screened for illness.
One common test for detection of cervical cancer is the PAP smear, recommended once every three years for women between the ages of 21 and 65. Women aged 30 to 65 also undergo HPV and PAP tests every five years, or are tested with HPV alone every five years.
However, a recent report from the American Cancer Society shows that the rate of screening for cervical cancer has fallen and has not recovered during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Health technology investor Kara Egan thought the need to make Pap smears more accessible. She co-founded Teal Health, the healthcare company that created Teal Wand, the first FDA-approved neck screening test that can be done at home.
“What we started teal is that women deserve better healthcare,” says Egan, the company’s CEO.
“And what do you look like? It looks like you’re listening to the women and seeing what you need.”
“Even though the visit was free, I had to quit my job and I had to raise my child.”
For Egan and her team, accessibility was a major focus when creating the concept of Teal Wand.
“It’s “What touchpoints do women can do to make something easier? Egan says CNBC will make it.”
“I think a lot of them can do it in a way that you don’t expect or that medical care doesn’t.”
Before receiving a Teel Wand, the customer must go through a screening process with a doctor that will help determine eligibility based on insurance coverage and teach them how to properly use the cane to obtain an accurate sample.
“We do the exact same tests that are used in doctors’ offices with the same accuracy, and that’s what our clinical trials show, but we’re just collecting samples at home,” explains Egan.
Teal Wand is the first FDA approved neck screening test that can be performed at home.
Courtesy of Teal Health.
Once samples are collected and tested, results are shared through the company’s online portal, and patients can connect to their healthcare provider via telehealth visits to pass the next step if follow-up is required.
What’s unique about this process is that everything from the screening process to collections and receiving results is done from home. Egan is because it is by design and facilitates the process for those struggling to reach in-person doctor visits.
“Cost is important and very important to us (but) it’s not often a major barrier for people,” she says.
“There’s also the cost of going to the doctor’s office. Even if the visit was free, or if I had to quit my job, I had to get childcare and (find) the transport.”
“More than 50% of women screened as teals are behind screening.”
Teal Wands are currently available in California, New York and Florida. Teal Health is located in a network with Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and United Healthcare.
“We can (take care of) the telehealth portion, and then the women pay $99. But we’re going to work with the insurance company to cover the full,” Egan says.
“Even with the $99 bill, over 50% of women screened as teals were behind screening, while 20% were never screened before and were within screening age.”
The driving factor for establishing Teal Health for Egan and her team was to spread awareness about the importance of screening for cervical cancer and provide new options for testing, Egan points out.
“Cervical cancer is completely preventable if you are screened,” she says. “There’s a new way to do that. One is in the office, one is at home, but it’s very accurate and you should do it.”
Last chance to save: Want to be your own boss? The last day you get 30% off by CNBC, a new online course, how to get started: for first-time founders. From testing ideas to increasing revenue, find step-by-step guidance for starting your first business. Use coupon code Early Bird for an introductory discount from September 16th to September 30th, 2025.
Additionally, we request that you sign up for CNBC to connect with experts and peers in our newsletter, money, and life to get tips and tricks for success in the workplace.
