CERVICAL CANCER SELF-SCREENING METHODS AND APPARATUS

摘要

An insert for the passive, painless, non-invasive self-collection of free endocervical cells by a subject includes a body (12), and a substrate (14) for cell collection. The body (12) has a proximal end (16) for manipulation by the subject, and a distal end (18) on which the cell collecting substrate (14) is disposed. The body (12) is configured so that the substrate (14) is positionable by the subject within the vagina, preferably near the vaginal portion of the cervix, to allow collection of free endocervical cells onto the cell collection surface (20). After cells have been collected, the subject may place the cell retaining substrate (14) into a cell suspension preservative contained in a sealable receptacle for transport to a laboratory for conventional analysis.