New Survey Finds Women Are Skipping Their OB/GYN Exams, Increasing Risks for Cervical Cancer

Survey Findings - 72% of women in the US have delayed gynecology visits, with 54% citing fear or discomfort and 49% citing scheduling challenges as reasons [1][2][3] - 50% of women are unaware of how often they should be screened for cervical cancer [2][3] - 81% of women want more comfortable and less invasive HPV/cervical cancer testing options compared to pelvic exams [5] - 73% of women are interested in using self-collection vaginal swab tests at the doctor's office, and 74% are interested in self-collection at home [5] - 66% of women are knowledgeable about HPV, but 88% are unaware that Pap tests are not the most accurate for detecting cervical cancer, and 81% are unaware that women aged 30-65 do not need annual screenings [6] Industry Trends and Recommendations - Self-collection of vaginal samples is seen as a critical step forward in cervical cancer screening, reducing discomfort and time associated with pelvic exams [4] - Guidelines from organizations like WHO, ACS, ASCCP, and the US Preventive Services Task Force recommend self-collection for HPV screening and tests that identify more individual types of HPV [8] - The WHO aims to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue by 2030, emphasizing the importance of regular screening [9] Company Innovation - BD's Onclarity™ HPV Assay is FDA-approved for self-collection and identifies more individual high-risk types of HPV than any other test, enabling better tracking and management of high-risk cases [7] - BD is advancing health through innovative technology, diagnostics, and care delivery, with a focus on improving safety, efficiency, and access to healthcare [12]