Geisinger Health System
03/17/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/17/2026 08:01
Geisinger expands access to cervical cancer screenings
DANVILLE, Pa. - Geisinger announced it will begin offering an FDA-approved self-collected swab sampling option for cervical cancer screening that does not require a pelvic examination. This initiative expands access for patients who are overdue for their human papillomavirus (HPV) screening, a disease that is highly preventable when screening is completed as recommended.
"Most people come into contact with HPV at some point in their lives, often as teens or young adults," said Julie Hirschhorn, Ph.D., system director of microbiology for Geisinger. "HPV can only be detected through screening, and we've seen fewer people getting screened in recent years. This new option from Abbott helps make testing easier and gives our patients another safe, reliable way to care for their health and ultimately save someone's life."
Geisinger is using the Abbott FDA-approved simpli-COLLECT™ HPV Collection Kit*, allowing patients to self-collect vaginal samples in a healthcare setting. The self-collection swab pairs with Abbott's Alinity m HR HPV Assay, detecting 14 high-risk HPV genotypes. It does not detect strains unrelated to cancer. The test includes a mechanism that ensures proper swab collection and valid results.
"Self-collection could be a lifesaving option for many Pennsylvanians, in a state with some of the highest cervical cancer rates in the country," said Donna Wolk, Ph.D., division chief of microbiology for Geisinger. "Our hope is this self-collection process will make care easier and more accessible for our patients."
Geisinger is the first health system in the United States to report patient results using the simpli-COLLECT Collection Kit. Patients age 30 to 65 who are at average risk of HPV can safely use self-collection for screening. They should consult their doctor and put a plan in place.
"At Abbott, we believe when testing can be made more accessible, it should be," said Matt Mittino, vice president of Abbott's molecular business. "We are partnering with Geisinger to expand access to, and improve the comfort of, HPV screenings. Providing greater access to testing will help more women identify the higher-risk HPV genetic types that could cause cervical cancer."
About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation's leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates more than $8 billion in annual revenues across 163 care sites - including 10 hospital campuses - and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and is conducting more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With more than 27,000 employees, including 1,800 employed physicians and 5,200 registered nurses, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania's largest employers, having an estimated economic impact of $16.8 billion on the state's economy. In 2024, Geisinger joined Risant Health, a nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and X .
Geisinger is among the nation's leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates more than $8 billion in annual revenues across 163 care sites - including 10 hospital campuses - and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and is conducting more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With more than 27,000 employees, including 1,800 employed physicians and 5,200 registered nurses, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania's largest employers, having an estimated economic impact of $16.8 billion on the state's economy. In 2024, Geisinger joined Risant Health, a nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and X .
*Alinity m HR HPV assay and the simpli-COLLECT HPV Collection Kit is for In Vitro Diagnostic Use. Rx Only. The simpli-COLLECT HPV Collection Kit has been FDA approved in the U.S. for use in a healthcare setting. The intended users for the simpli-COLLECT HPV Collection Kit are patients, and laboratory and healthcare professionals. The intended users for Alinity m HR HPV assay are laboratory professionals.
Geisinger Health System published this content on March 17, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 17, 2026 at 14:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]