Summary of Recommendations

Document Overview

Design and created by Guideline Central in participation with the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology.

Self-Collected Vaginal Specimens for HPV Testing

American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology

Publication Date: Feb 21, 2025

Page Last Updated: May 6, 2026

ASCCP Grading System

Strength of recommendation
A	Good evidence for efficacy and substantial clinical benefit support recommendation for use.
B	Moderate evidence for efficacy or only limited clinical benefit supports recommendation for use.
C	Evidence for efficacy is insufficient to support a recommendation for or against use, but recommendations may be made on other grounds.
D	Moderate evidence for lack of efficacy or for adverse outcome supports a recommendation against use.
E	Good evidence for lack of efficacy or for adverse outcome supports a recommendation against use.

Full Text Guideline: journals.lww.com/jlgtd/fulltext/9900/self_collected_vaginal_specimens_for_hpv_testing_.175.aspx

Source Citation: Wentzensen, Nicolas MD, PhD1; Massad, L. Stewart MD2; Clarke, Megan A. PhD1; Garcia, Francisco MD, MPH3; Smith, Robert PhD4; Murphy, Jeanne PhD, CNM5; Guido, Richard MD6; Reyes, Ana MS7; Phillips, Sarah MS1; Berman, Nancy MSN, ANP-BC, NCMP, FAANP8; Quinlan, Jeffrey MD9; Lind, Eileen NP10; Perkins, Rebecca B. MD11; Enduring Consensus Cervical Cancer Screening and Management Guidelines Committee. Self-Collected Vaginal Specimens for HPV Testing: Recommendations From the Enduring Consensus Cervical Cancer Screening and Management Guidelines Committee. Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease ():10.1097/LGT.0000000000000885, February 21, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000885

Document Objectives: The Enduring Consensus Cervical Cancer Screening and Management Guidelines Committee developed recommendations for the use of self-collected vaginal specimens for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in health care settings. Human papillomavirus testing of self-collected vaginal specimens expands cervical cancer screening options and has potential to increase access for currently underscreened individuals. Laboratory and clinical workflows will need to be modified to ensure adequate specimen processing and follow-up.

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D000094302 - Human Papillomavirus Viruses

Keywords: Cervical cancer screening, HPV Testing, self-collection, vaginal specimens

Target Patient Population: Persons with a cervix presenting to a clinic for cervical cancer screening or follow-up

Quality of evidence
I	Evidence from at least one randomized, controlled trial.
II	Evidence from at least one clinical trial without randomization, from cohort or case-controlled analytic studies (preferably from more than one center), or from multiple time-series studies, or dramatic results from uncontrolled experiments.
III	Evidence from opinions of respected authorities based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees.