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Cervical cancer continues to pose a major public health concern, especially for groups who struggle to access conventional screening services. Various factors – including economic constraints, difficulties in reaching healthcare facilities, caregiving duties and unease with standard examination procedures – often lead to reduced participation in screening programs and delays in early detection.
Teal Health is addressing these gaps with an innovative solution: the Teal Wand™, an at-home, speculum-free, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved cervical cancer screening kit and women’s health providers accessible through telehealth. By combining convenience, clinical accuracy and comprehensive virtual support, Teal is empowering women to take charge of their health on their own terms.
Technology Networks had the pleasure of speaking to Kara Egan, CEO and co-founder of Teal, to learn more about how the approach is reshaping cervical cancer prevention.
Isabel Ely, PhD (IE):
Science Writer
Technology Networks
Isabel is a Science Writer and Editor at Technology Networks . She holds a BSc in exercise and sport science from the University of Exeter, a MRes in medicine and health and a PhD in medicine from the University of Nottingham. Her doctoral research explored the role of dietary protein and exercise in optimizing muscle health as we age.
Cervical cancer disproportionately affects under-screened populations. How does Teal Health aim to reach those who traditionally face barriers to care?
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Teal Health
As a CEO and mother of two, caring for an aging parent with dementia, Kara Egan is driven to create solutions that value a woman’s time. She leads a passionate team at Teal Health, on a mission to develop a more equitable and accessible future for women’s healthcare, starting with cervical cancer.
Egan has spent her career in the intersection of healthcare and technology, as a health tech investor (.406 Ventures), a software investor (Emergence Capital) and an operator at tech companies (Zendesk). She earned her BS in management science and engineering at Stanford University, her MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a Kauffman Fellow.
Many women face significant barriers when it comes to accessing cervical cancer screening. These challenges can include financial difficulties, lack of reliable transportation, limited childcare options or discomfort with traditional screening methods.
Teal addresses these issues by offering an at-home cervical cancer screening option that is speculum-free, convenient and accessible through telehealth. This innovative approach brings screening directly into women’s homes, reaching those who might otherwise delay or avoid preventive care due to these common obstacles.
In addition, the Affordable Care Act mandates that all public and private insurance plans cover preventive services rated as Grade A by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) without any cost-sharing. Cervical cancer screening is classified as one of these Grade A preventive services. This means that insured individuals should not face co-pays or need to meet their deductible before their insurance covers the screening. The primary goal of this legislation is to remove financial barriers and make it easier for people to participate in preventive care, thereby promoting better health outcomes.
Teal is also committed to ensuring that their screening remains affordable for everyone, including those without insurance coverage. They plan to offer sponsored or low-cost options so that financial limitations do not prevent access to this important health service. Furthermore, Teal is already in-network with major insurers such as Aetna, Anthem and Cigna within the state of California, providing insured patients with seamless access to their screening services.
Science Writer
Technology Networks
Isabel is a Science Writer and Editor at Technology Networks . She holds a BSc in exercise and sport science from the University of Exeter, a MRes in medicine and health and a PhD in medicine from the University of Nottingham. Her doctoral research explored the role of dietary protein and exercise in optimizing muscle health as we age.
How do you see the Teal Wand™ helping improve adherence to cervical cancer screening guidelines among women aged 25–65 years old?
KE:
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Teal Health
As a CEO and mother of two, caring for an aging parent with dementia, Kara Egan is driven to create solutions that value a woman’s time. She leads a passionate team at Teal Health, on a mission to develop a more equitable and accessible future for women’s healthcare, starting with cervical cancer.
Egan has spent her career in the intersection of healthcare and technology, as a health tech investor (.406 Ventures), a software investor (Emergence Capital) and an operator at tech companies (Zendesk). She earned her BS in management science and engineering at Stanford University, her MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a Kauffman Fellow.
The Teal Wand makes screening more convenient and comfortable, directly addressing some of the most common barriers women face. Discomfort with traditional speculum exams, busy schedules and limited access to in-clinic care often discourage women aged 25 to 65 years from completing regular screenings. By offering a user-friendly, at-home screening tool, the Teal Wand empowers women to take control of their health on their own terms, reducing the need for clinic visits and easing the screening experience.
What truly sets Teal apart is its comprehensive telehealth support that surrounds the entire screening journey. Throughout the process, a dedicated clinician remains actively involved, providing guidance and reassurance so women never feel isolated or uncertain. This continuous connection helps build confidence and trust, encouraging women to complete their screening and engage fully in their care.
Importantly, if a screening result is positive, the clinician steps in to facilitate the crucial next steps. They provide personalized support, explain the findings, and help navigate the healthcare system by referring patients to appropriate in-person providers for further evaluation and treatment. This seamless blend of at-home convenience with expert clinical oversight significantly increases adherence to follow-up care, ultimately improving health outcomes by ensuring women receive timely and appropriate attention when needed.
Science Writer
Technology Networks
Isabel is a Science Writer and Editor at Technology Networks . She holds a BSc in exercise and sport science from the University of Exeter, a MRes in medicine and health and a PhD in medicine from the University of Nottingham. Her doctoral research explored the role of dietary protein and exercise in optimizing muscle health as we age.
The SELF-CERV study demonstrated clinical equivalence to clinician-collected samples. Could you summarize the primary endpoints and how they were met?
KE:
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Teal Health
As a CEO and mother of two, caring for an aging parent with dementia, Kara Egan is driven to create solutions that value a woman’s time. She leads a passionate team at Teal Health, on a mission to develop a more equitable and accessible future for women’s healthcare, starting with cervical cancer.
Egan has spent her career in the intersection of healthcare and technology, as a health tech investor (.406 Ventures), a software investor (Emergence Capital) and an operator at tech companies (Zendesk). She earned her BS in management science and engineering at Stanford University, her MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a Kauffman Fellow.
The SELF-CERV study focused on evaluating the concordance/agreement for the detection of high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) between self-collected samples for cervical cancer screening. Impressively, the study not only met but exceeded its primary endpoints, demonstrating that self-collected samples obtained using the Teal Wand were comparable for hrHPV detection and had the same clinical sensitivity as the clinician-collected samples. These data supported the FDA approval for the Teal Wand’s for the self-collection of vaginal samples used for routine cervical cancer screening, offering an effective alternative to traditional clinic-based sampling.
The Teal Wand achieved a remarkable 95% positive agreement in detecting high-risk HPV, significantly surpassing the predefined clinical performance benchmark of 87%. Additionally, the device demonstrated a 96% sensitivity in identifying cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or higher (CIN2+), which represents precancerous lesions. Notably, this sensitivity was equivalent to that of clinician-collected samples, with a relative sensitivity of 1.00, underscoring Teal Wand’s capability to deliver clinical-grade accuracy.
These outcomes highlight the promise of the Teal Wand to improve access to effective cervical cancer screening by enabling accurate, comfortable and convenient self-sampling without compromising diagnostic reliability.
Science Writer
Technology Networks
Isabel is a Science Writer and Editor at Technology Networks . She holds a BSc in exercise and sport science from the University of Exeter, a MRes in medicine and health and a PhD in medicine from the University of Nottingham. Her doctoral research explored the role of dietary protein and exercise in optimizing muscle health as we age.
Please tell us more about how the at-home screening kit works.
KE:
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Teal Health
As a CEO and mother of two, caring for an aging parent with dementia, Kara Egan is driven to create solutions that value a woman’s time. She leads a passionate team at Teal Health, on a mission to develop a more equitable and accessible future for women’s healthcare, starting with cervical cancer.
Egan has spent her career in the intersection of healthcare and technology, as a health tech investor (.406 Ventures), a software investor (Emergence Capital) and an operator at tech companies (Zendesk). She earned her BS in management science and engineering at Stanford University, her MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a Kauffman Fellow.
Using the Teal Wand for at-home cervical cancer screening is designed to be straightforward and convenient. Here’s how the process works from start to finish:
Step 1: Request your at-home collection kit
Begin by requesting a Teal Wand screening kit online. Once your order is received, it will be reviewed to confirm your eligibility for the test. A licensed healthcare provider will then prescribe the kit based on your information. Upon prescription your kit will be shipped directly to your home, ready for use.
Step 2: Collect your sample and send it to the lab
When your kit arrives, you can comfortably collect your cervical sample at home using the Teal Wand. The process is designed to be simple and speculum-free, and Teal’s support team is available to answer any questions or provide guidance as needed. After collecting the sample, securely seal it in the provided packaging and mail it back to the lab using the prepaid shipping materials included.
Step 3: Sample processing at CLIA-certified laboratories
Once received, your sample is processed in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-certified laboratories. The sample is tested using an FDA-approved Primary HPV test, which is the gold-standard cervical cancer screening method recommended by both the American Cancer Society and the USPSTF. This is the same test that is used in the doctor’s office.
Step 4: Expert review of your results
Your test results are carefully reviewed by certified doctors and medical professionals. This evaluation follows the latest guidelines established by the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology to ensure accurate interpretation and appropriate clinical recommendations.
Step 5: Receive your results and connect with a provider
You will receive clear, easy-to-understand results delivered securely to your personal Teal account. If your results require follow-up, you can connect virtually with a Teal Health provider to discuss the next steps, which your Teal provider will recommend based on current medical guidelines for self-collection. Should additional in-person care be necessary, the Teal team will assist in coordinating referrals to trusted healthcare providers, ensuring you receive comprehensive support throughout your screening journey.
Science Writer
Technology Networks
Isabel is a Science Writer and Editor at Technology Networks . She holds a BSc in exercise and sport science from the University of Exeter, a MRes in medicine and health and a PhD in medicine from the University of Nottingham. Her doctoral research explored the role of dietary protein and exercise in optimizing muscle health as we age.
Do you believe self-collection is the future of preventative health? What challenges still need to be addressed to support broader adoption?
KE:
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Teal Health
As a CEO and mother of two, caring for an aging parent with dementia, Kara Egan is driven to create solutions that value a woman’s time. She leads a passionate team at Teal Health, on a mission to develop a more equitable and accessible future for women’s healthcare, starting with cervical cancer.
Egan has spent her career in the intersection of healthcare and technology, as a health tech investor (.406 Ventures), a software investor (Emergence Capital) and an operator at tech companies (Zendesk). She earned her BS in management science and engineering at Stanford University, her MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a Kauffman Fellow.
At-home self-collection has the potential to revolutionize preventive healthcare by significantly increasing accessibility, privacy and convenience in screening programs. This approach empowers individuals to take control of their health from the comfort of their own homes, eliminating many of the traditional barriers associated with in-clinic visits, such as scheduling difficulties, transportation challenges and discomfort with clinical procedures. A clear example of this transformative potential is seen in at-home colon cancer screening programs, using tools like fecal immunochemical test kits and CologuardTM.
Despite these promising outcomes, widespread adoption of self-collection screening methods faces some important challenges. Building and maintaining patient trust is critical, and this requires ongoing public education efforts to inform people about the accuracy, safety and benefits of self-collection. Equally important is ensuring that healthcare providers stay informed and aligned with evolving clinical guidelines so they can confidently recommend these newer clinically validated screening options.
Additionally, insurance coverage plays a vital role in making these tests accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status. Ensuring equitable access through comprehensive insurance reimbursement will be key to making self-collection a standard part of preventive health care and closing existing screening gaps.
