New Cervical Cancer Screening Option Now Available at Cabinet Peaks

Cabinet Peaks OB/GYN is now offering a new, less invasive option for cervical cancer screening. In 2024, the FDA approved self-collected HPV testing, allowing women to collect their own sample without needing a traditional pelvic exam. This new option is covered by all insurance plans as part of routine preventive care.

Riley Black, Nurse Practitioner at Cabinet Peaks OB/GYN, explains, “Women now have the option of minimally invasive testing instead of a speculum exam. It’s a great choice for women at low to average risk who may not need a full pelvic exam at every annual visit.”

Nearly half of women who are eligible for cervical cancer screening aren’t getting tested regularly. This new self-collection method was developed to help improve those rates by making screening easier and more comfortable.

Self-collected HPV testing is available for women age 30 and older who are at average risk. The process is quick and simple, done privately in the clinic—either in an exam room or bathroom. It takes less than a minute to collect a sample using a vaginal swab, which is then sent to the lab for testing. While this test doesn’t check for abnormal cervical cells, it does detect active HPV infections, which are responsible for nearly all cases of cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer.

Riley Black adds, “Ninety-nine percent of adults will be exposed to cancer-causing HPV at some point in their life. If we detect the virus early, we can decide on the next steps together. That early detection is key.”

If HPV is found through a self-collected test, follow-up exams including a pelvic exam and cervical testing will be recommended to check for any changes or abnormalities. Riley explains, “Some HPV infections go away on their own, but the ones that don’t can cause serious problems. That’s why it’s so important to continue monitoring HPV status over time.”

Vaccination is another powerful way to prevent HPV-related cancers. The HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and has been a standard recommendation for decades. It works best when given before exposure to the virus, ideally between ages 9 and 12, but it can be given at nearly any age with guidance from a healthcare provider.

Riley emphasizes, “The HPV vaccine is one of the safest vaccines we have, and incredibly, it prevents cancer. No other known cancer has such a safe and effective way to prevent it—it’s truly a medical miracle.”

To learn more about HPV vaccination, contact your primary care provider or the Lincoln County Health Department. To schedule an appointment for self-collected HPV testing, call Cabinet Peaks OB/GYN at 406-283-7440.