Introduction to At-Home Health Tests

The doctor is in — the mailbox, that is. You can now do self-administered tests for everything from thyroid function to HIV in the privacy of your own home — and that list continues to grow, as the Food and Drug Administration recently approved the first at-home cervical cancer test. While the tests can make it easier for people to access health care and can be helpful for those who have extreme anxiety about sensitive or invasive medical exams, experts warn that most of the tests cannot replace an actual in-person visit.

What Kinds of At-Home Tests Are Available?

There are two kinds of at-home tests. In one type, the patient collects the sample and sends it off to a lab; the new cervical cancer test is like this. The other gives an instant result — think COVID-19 and pregnancy tests.

Benefits of At-Home Tests

HIV home-testing kits can improve rates of diagnosing sexually transmitted infections in rural communities and help people who are nervous about going to the doctor to seek a sensitive test, said Dr. Joseph Cherabie, an infectious diseases specialist in St. Louis. “You really want to get people to care as quickly as possible, but some people could be very anxious about that results as well,” Cherabie said. “And they have very negative reactions.” Labs are required to report a positive HIV test, instead of putting the onus on the patient who took the test, Cherabie said, and often the patient is matched up with HIV support services.

This photo provided by Teal Health in May 2025 shows the company’s Teal Wand self-collection device for at-home cervical cancer screening. (Nicole Morrison/Teal Health via AP)

The new cervical cancer test — which tests for strains of human papillomavirus, or HPV — involves a testing swab that’s like a tampon, said Dr. Susan Modesitt, a gynecologic oncologist at Emory University in Atlanta. It is not, Modesitt said, a replacement for a Pap smear, the exam in which a metal speculum is inserted in the vagina to scrape cervix cells. A doctor’s visit also involves a pelvic exam, a chance to talk about abnormal bleeding — a sign of endometrial cancer — and other symptoms and issues, like menopause or STIs.

At-Home Tests for Rural Areas

Some at-home tests can replace a trip to the doctor’s office. That’s especially true in rural areas, where it can be difficult to get a colonoscopy. “The colonoscopy requires a pre-op, and you have to drive maybe 70 miles for it,” said Dr. Steven Furr, board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians who practices in rural Alabama. “You get anesthesia. It’s actually almost like a surgical procedure in many ways. So, for a lot of people, that’s pretty arduous. That’s where an at-home test can come in handy.” But, Furr said, if your test reveals issues, you need to go to your doctor.

Who Shouldn’t Do At-Home Tests?

If you have symptoms of what you’re testing for, go to the doctor. At-home colon cancer tests aren’t the right option for people with a history of colon cancer or high-risk conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, said Dr. Zachariah Foda, a gastroenterologist at Johns Hopkins. He added that they’re also not recommended for people who are having GI symptoms. While there are tests for many things — running anywhere from $15 to $400, depending on what is being evaluated — Furr said it’s essential to make sure that your test is FDA-approved so you can better trust the results.

Conclusion

At-home health tests can be a valuable tool for accessing healthcare, especially for those in rural areas or with anxiety about medical exams. However, it’s crucial to understand their limitations and not use them as a replacement for in-person doctor visits. Always discuss test results with your physician and ensure that any test you use is FDA-approved.

FAQs

• Q: What types of at-home health tests are available?
  A: There are two main types: those that require sending a sample to a lab for analysis and those that provide instant results.
• Q: Can at-home tests replace doctor visits?
  A: Generally, no. While they can be useful for initial screening, they often cannot replace the comprehensive care and diagnosis provided by a healthcare professional.
• Q: Who should not use at-home health tests?
  A: Individuals with symptoms of the condition they are testing for, those with a history of certain conditions like colon cancer, and people experiencing GI symptoms should consult a doctor instead.
• Q: How do I know if an at-home test is trustworthy?
  A: Ensure the test is FDA-approved to better trust the results.
• Q: What is the cost of at-home health tests?
  A: Costs vary widely, from $15 to $400, depending on the type of test.
  

  By DEVNA BOSE, Associated Press

  The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Originally Published: June 5, 2025 at 12:56 PM EDT