{"id":145406,"date":"2025-10-06T21:24:21","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T01:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=145406"},"modified":"2025-10-06T21:24:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T01:24:21","slug":"lvhn-now-offering-self-collection-hpv-testing-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-gynecologic-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=145406","title":{"rendered":"LVHN Now Offering Self-Collection HPV Testing, Ushering in a New Era of Gynecologic Care"},"content":{"rendered":"

Revolutionizing Women\u2019s Health with a More Comfortable, Evidence-Based Approach<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lehigh Valley, Pa.\u00a0 \u2013 Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), part of Jefferson Health, and HNL Lab Medicine are now offering self-collection human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in the Lehigh Valley. This marks a significant shift in how women approach cervical cancer screening.<\/p>\n

Cervical cancer typically takes 15\u201320 years to develop, prompting the medical community to reevaluate the necessity of annual Pap tests and pelvic exams. The new self-collection method offers a more comfortable and patient-centered alternative, aligning with updated screening guidelines and modern gynecologic care.<\/p>\n

The self-collection swabs are sent to a lab for analysis. While the FDA currently permits self-collection only in clinical settings, home use is anticipated in the future.<\/p>\n

Rethinking Routine Pelvic Exams for a More Patient-Friendly Option<\/strong><\/p>\n

While a Pap test gathers cells from the cervix and tests them, an HPV test looks for types of HPV that are most likely to cause cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than nine of every 10 cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV. That makes cervical cancer screenings and pelvic exams essential, but not every year, according to\u00a0Emily Brophy, MD, obstetrician gynecologist with LVPG Obstetrics and Gynecology.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new thinking is that symptoms should be the guide for conducting the pelvic exam,” says Dr. Brophy. “There now must be an additional reason, such as pelvic pain, bleeding or discharge.\u201d<\/p>\n

The decision to go with specimen self-collection should be made together with a clinician, so the patient\u2019s personal history can be taken into consideration.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a misconception that pelvic exams can pick up ovarian cancer. That\u2019s not the case, as there is no good test for ovarian cancer,\u201d says Dr. Brophy.<\/p>\n

Patients must schedule an appointment to complete the self-collection test. If the results are positive,\u00a0additional tests will be needed.<\/p>\n

Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines<\/strong><\/p>\n

Understanding it takes years for cervical cancer to develop, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its guidelines:<\/p>\n