Quality Corner: HPV self-swab testing & cervical cancer screening update

HPV self-swab testing for cervical cancer screening coming soon

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and we have exciting news to share! Labcorp now offers an FDA-approved HPV self-swab test for cervical cancer screening for patients ages 30-64. This option meets clinical guidelines and HEDIS quality measures, and it removes a major barrier - the speculum exam - making screening more comfortable and accessible for patients.

Important Note: Legacy is not ready to implement this today. A workgroup is actively planning the operational rollout to ensure a smooth process. Stay tuned for updates once the Epic order and supplies are available. More details will follow soon.

Questions? Contact your LabCorp representative or your Provider Outreach and Engagement Advisor.

January reminder: Keep cervical cancer screening on track

Cervical Health Awareness Month is the perfect time to reinforce the importance of routine Pap smears in preventing cervical cancer. Despite being highly preventable, thousands of women are diagnosed each year, most of whom were not screened regularly.

Screening matters and Pap smears remain the cornerstone of early detection. Identifying abnormal cervical cells before they progress to cancer saves lives and reduces the need for invasive treatments. Combined with HPV vaccination, regular screening is one of the most effective strategies for cervical cancer prevention. LHP’s cervical cancer screening toolkit is available to help providers succeed in screening for cervical cancer and improve the health of their patients.

Current guidelines

• Ages 21-29: Pap smear every 3 years
• Ages 30-65: Pap smear every 3 years OR Pap + HPV co-testing every 5 years
• Screening may stop after age 65 if prior results have been consistently normal and there is no high-risk history

Role of primary care and OB/GYN

• Primary Care: Use annual visits and chronic care check-ins to identify patients overdue for screening. Incorporate EHR alerts and gap reports to prompt action.
• OB/GYN: Manage follow-up for abnormal results, perform colposcopies, and coordinate care for high-risk patients.
• Clinic Managers: Support workflows by ensuring staff training, scheduling flexibility, and outreach campaigns to close screening gaps.

3 quick ways to boost screening rates

• Run overdue screening reports in your EHR and flag patients during scheduling.
• Offer same-day Pap smears when patients come in for other visits.
• Educate staff and patients: Use posters, portal messages, and scripts to normalize screening conversations.

Need to make a referral?

Use the LHP referral directory to find primary care, OB/GYN, and women’s specialty providers near you. If you are not receiving the directory each month via email from Kristin Gilmer, please email kbgilmer@lhs.org so she can add you to the list! You can also access the directory online in Power BI here.