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LVHN introduces self-collection HPV testing for women
Stacy Wescoe//September 23, 2025//
Lehigh Valley Health Network and HNL Lab Medicine are making changes to how they provide women’s health care.
They are now offering self-collection human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in the Lehigh Valley, which they described as 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.
Emily Brophy, MD, obstetrician gynecologist with LVPG Obstetrics and Gynecology explained the decision.
“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.”
Patients must schedule an appointment to complete the self-collection test. If the results are positive, additional tests will be needed.
