Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is now offering human papillomavirus (HPV) self-collection at its Family Planning and Sexual Health Clinic.
NNHP says self-collection gives eligible clients age 30 and older a more private and convenient way to collect a sample for HPV testing without a pelvic exam.
HPV is a common virus spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact that can cause certain cancers later in life, including cervical cancer if it’s not found early. Health officials say regular screening is one of the best ways to help prevent cervical cancer.
“HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer,” said Christina Sheppard, Division Director of Community and Clinical Health Services. "Offering self-collected HPV testing in our clinic provides another screening option that may help more people stay up to date with this important preventive care.”
What to expect
During an appointment, an NNPH Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) will review each client's health history to determine if HPV self-collection is the right screening option. If eligible, the client will collect their own sample using a swab in a private room at the clinic.
To be eligible, clients must:
* Be age 30 or older
* Have no history of an abnormal Pap smear
* Have no immune conditions
To schedule an appointment, call 775-328-2470. Walk-in and same-day appointments may be available weekly.
NNPH’s Family Planning and Sexual Health Clinic is open Monday-Friday, and offers a variety of services, including testing for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy planning, contraception, and women’s health services.
For more information, visit NNPH’s Sexual Health Program webpage here.
(Northern Nevada Public Health contributed to this report.)
