You can now do self-administered tests for everything from thyroid function to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the privacy of your own home – and that list continues to grow, as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the first at-home cervical cancer test.
While the tests can make it easier for people to access healthcare 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.
