# Rural Women at Higher Cervical Cancer Risk

> At-home HPV tests could cut cervical cancer deaths for rural women in Colorado and nationwide.
- Title: Rural Women at Higher Cervical Cancer Risk · The Conversation
- Summary: At-home HPV tests could cut cervical cancer deaths for rural women in Colorado and nationwide. Rural women in Colorado and the U.S.
- Keywords: cervical cancer, rural women, colorado, hpv, at-home test, cervical screening, appalachia, healthcare access, cervical cancer screening, mobile clinics, colposcopy, patient navigators
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/rural-women-in-colorado-and-nationwide-are-at-higher-risk-for-cervical-cancer-at-home-test-kits-can-help-close-the-gap-293083
- Author: Christine Conageski
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cervical cancer, rural women, colorado, hpv, at-home test, cervical screening, appalachia, healthcare access, cervical cancer screening, mobile clinics, colposcopy, patient navigators
## Cervical Cancer Disparities
Rural women in the U.S. have a 25% higher cervical cancer rate and 42% higher death rate than urban women.
## Colorado's Rural Rates
Prowers, Moffat, and Montrose counties have nearly three times the cervical cancer rate of urban counties.
## National Statistics
13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually, and over 4,000 die from it each year.
## Colorado Data
Nearly 150 Colorado women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2023, with over 40 dying annually.
## Delayed Diagnosis
Rural women are more likely to be diagnosed at later disease stages, requiring chemotherapy or radiation.
## FDA-Approved At-Home Test
The Teal Wand, an FDA-approved at-home HPV test, became available in 2025 for self-collection.
## Appalachia Study Results
Mailed HPV kits increased screening rates from 5% to 15% in Appalachian regions.
## State Initiatives
Alabama's Operation Wipe Out and Texas's Lone Star Cervical Cancer Elimination Plan use self-screening to reduce cervical cancer.
## Colorado Plan
A Colorado team aims to launch a similar self-screening program by 2027.
## Key takeaway

Rural women in Colorado and the U.S. face higher cervical cancer rates and deaths than urban women; FDA-approved at-home HPV tests may improve early detection and reduce mortality.