Lehigh Valley Health Network, 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.

Cervical cancer typically takes 15-20 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.

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.

Rethinking Pelvic Exams for a More Patient-Friendly Option

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 Emily Brophy, MD, obstetrician gynecologist with LVPG Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“The 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.”

The decision to go with specimen self-collection should be made together with a clinician, so the patient’s personal history can be taken into consideration.

“There is a misconception that pelvic exams can pick up ovarian cancer. That’s not the case, as there is no good test for ovarian cancer,” says Dr. Brophy.

Patients must schedule an appointment to complete the self-collection test. If the results are positive, additional tests will be needed.

Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines

Understanding it takes years for cervical cancer to develop, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its guidelines:

• Ages 21-29: Pap test every three years. HPV testing alone may be considered for women ages 25-29, though Pap tests are preferred.

• Ages 30-65: Three options: Pap and HPV co-testing every five years, Pap alone every three years or HPV testing alone every five years.

• Over 65: Women can stop having cervical cancer screenings if they have never had abnormal cervical cells or cervical cancer and have had two or three negative screening tests in a row, depending on the type of test.

“Most women will get HPV at some point in their lifetime,” Dr. Brophy explains. “Young women between the ages of 21 and 29 can generally clear the virus on their own. For women over 30, it’s more difficult, so testing during the later age range is more stringent.”

Annual Visits Still Matter

While annual Pap tests may no longer be necessary, Dr. Brophy recommends women not give up their yearly visit to the gynecologist.

“The visit is still important,” she says. “It’s an opportunity to discuss urinary or bowel issues, sexual health, birth control, breast concerns, perimenopause and all the other aspects of well-woman care.”