PathAdvantage

PathAdvantage Pathologist-owned lab with a difference—real people, exemplary quality of care, unmatched expertise.

Can at-home HPV testing replace the Pap test? Richard Hopley M.D., pathologist and Director of Clinical Pathology at Pat...
02/26/2026

Can at-home HPV testing replace the Pap test? Richard Hopley M.D., pathologist and Director of Clinical Pathology at PathAdvantage sat down with Dr. Carolyn Moyers on her podcast Sky Women’s Health to discuss the what the headlines aren’t telling you about FDA-approved at-home HPV testing.

The bottom line: At-home HPV testing can be helpful and convenient for some, but HPV testing alone, without the crucial Pap test, can miss some cervical cancers. For this reason, many experts recommend Pap + HPV co-testing.

Listen to the podcast at our to learn more about who the at-home HPV test can help and how to interpret your HPV test results. For more information, check out our blog on HPV testing to make informed decisions to protect your long term health.
https://buff.ly/yEWEhFY

Historically, cervical biopsies have been performed using metal punch biopsy devices or metal curettes that can cause si...
01/21/2026

Historically, cervical biopsies have been performed using metal punch biopsy devices or metal curettes that can cause significant discomfort, pain and bleeding. Newer fabric-based devices reduce the pain and discomfort of biopsies with the same (if not superior) diagnostic accuracy and reliability.

Patients consistently reported:
• Pain scores near zero for the newer outer cervix (ectocervical) devices versus around 4/10 with traditional forceps.
• Pain scores of about 2/10 for the newer inner cervical canal (endocervical) devices versus 6/10 with conventional curettes.
• Significantly less bleeding and faster recovery.

Read more about these innovations in our blog: https://buff.ly/NoMVxdn

Cervical biopsies are an essential part of patient care, but they can be uncomfortable and painful. However, newer devic...
01/12/2026

Cervical biopsies are an essential part of patient care, but they can be uncomfortable and painful. However, newer devices allow clinicians to perform cervical biopsies that are quick, thorough and nearly painless, while providing accurate and reliable information. In fact, some studies show superior accuracy and sensitivity with the soft brush biopsy devices.
Learn more about how these innovations can reduce fear and discomfort associated with traditional cervical biopsies, while allowing for more comprehensive samples and greater diagnostic accuracy: https://buff.ly/uqaoJ9Y

12/11/2025

Why do we use PCR-based testing for Group B Streptococcus (GBS)? GBS is a bacteria found in some pregnant women that can lead to serious infections if passed to a baby during delivery.
In the past, GBS would be detected with a culture, which involved waiting for a swab test to grow bacteria over the course of 2-3 days. This method is slower and less sensitive than PCR-based GBS testing, which detects the genetic material (DNA) of GBS directly, without waiting for it to grow in a culture.
This is why we use PCR-based testing, so our patients can get faster and more reliable results. Read more about the benefits of PCR testing in our blog. https://buff.ly/ulPnNQF

Traditionally, Group B Streptococcus (GBS) testing relied on culture-based methods that take 2 to 3 days for results. Bu...
12/03/2025

Traditionally, Group B Streptococcus (GBS) testing relied on culture-based methods that take 2 to 3 days for results. But for most pregnant women, that delay isn’t just inconvenient — it can be deadly. Waiting for days for culture means some women can deliver before their GBS status is even known. If GBS is transmitted during delivery, it can cause serious infections like pneumonia, sepsis or meningitis. Fortunately, if GBS is found before birth, it can be easily treated with antibiotics.
We switched to PCR-based testing with the Hologic Panther Fusion GBS Assay. In our studies, it delivered higher accuracy than our previous methods, and most tests had results within 24 hours. Read more about GBS and PathAdvantage’s cutting-edge testing methods in our blog https://buff.ly/fagfN8G

10/28/2025

As a child, Alejandro Vargas M.D. saw the passion his father brought to his work as a pathologist and followed in his footsteps. Now, Dr. Vargas lets compassion and innovation guide his pathology expertise so he can make a difference in the lives of his patients. Learn more about Dr. Vargas and his life outside of the laboratory in our recent interview. https://buff.ly/oq1nSTI

Join us in the laboratory to meet Alejandro Vargas M.D., our pathologist specializing in innovation and technology. We s...
10/21/2025

Join us in the laboratory to meet Alejandro Vargas M.D., our pathologist specializing in innovation and technology. We sat down with Dr. Vargas to discuss his passion for pathology and his desire to make a positive impact in the lives of his patients. Learn more about Dr. Vargas in our interview. https://buff.ly/oq1nSTI

Is at-home HPV testing a breakthrough — or is it a blind spot in women’s health? No one can argue against increased acce...
10/07/2025

Is at-home HPV testing a breakthrough — or is it a blind spot in women’s health? No one can argue against increased access to testing. However, the prospect of replacing the traditional Pap test is causing experts like physicians, pathologists and advocates like Nancy Brinker and the Blank Women’s Health Imperative to raise red f**s. Here are the key points they make:

• At-home HPV testing misses cancers. Co-testing (HPV + Pap) is more reliable. Studies show that twice as many cervical cancers are missed with HPV testing alone.
• The Pap test does more than spot cancer. It also flags other infections, hormonal issues and abnormal cells even when HPV isn’t present.
• It may lead to overdiagnosis. HPV doesn’t always lead to cancer. Over-testing can lead to anxiety, unnecessary biopsies and confusion — especially in younger women.
• No additional health insight or clinical touchpoint. An at-home test also doesn’t provide STI screening or a pelvic exam, or any access to a health professional.

At-home HPV tests can increase access — but they aren’t a replacement for complete care. Co-testing remains the gold standard for a reason. Read more in our recent blog https://buff.ly/62LPlQ3

At-home HPV testing touts a large number of benefits. But can it really replace the Pap test? Medical professionals aren...
09/25/2025

At-home HPV testing touts a large number of benefits. But can it really replace the Pap test? Medical professionals aren't so sure. Learn more about the pros and cons of this new health tool and the implications for preventing cancer on our blog. https://buff.ly/KKHY8rW

08/26/2025

From the microscope to the paintbrush, pathologist Erika Fong, M.D. brings skill and passion to everything she does. Learn more about her passion for pathology and advancing women’s health as well as her life outside of the laboratory in our recent interview. https://buff.ly/c6vG7oa

Take a step into the laboratory and meet Erika Fong, M.D., our pathologist specializing in endometrium. We recently sat ...
08/20/2025

Take a step into the laboratory and meet Erika Fong, M.D., our pathologist specializing in endometrium. We recently sat down with Dr. Fong, and learned about her deep commitment to accurate results and how she plays a vital role in diagnosis and treatment. https://buff.ly/c6vG7oa

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a serious vaginal infection where healthy lactobacilli are overtaken by an overgrowth of oth...
08/04/2025

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a serious vaginal infection where healthy lactobacilli are overtaken by an overgrowth of other bacteria. BV is stubborn to treat, and treatment methods have been focused solely on the woman. A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine seems to indicate that male partners may be responsible for the reintroduction of BV-related bacteria, leading to reinfection, and that treating male partners lowers recurrence rates. This raises important questions for clinical practice. Will women’s health-focused clinicians feel confident recommending treatment for male partners, and will these partners adhere to a regimen designed to benefit their partner’s health? Read more about the implications of this study in our blog https://buff.ly/Yta1VIP

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5327 N Central Expressway
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75205

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PathAdvantage

PathAdvantage is a pathologist owned and directed medical practice that offers complete anatomic and clinical pathology services to Texas. Staffed by a large team of specialized pathologists, we are proud to treat your patients with the same respect and thoughtfulness that you do, continuing the quality of your care while providing exemplary services such as one-day turnaround, anytime access to pathologists, and in-network status with all insurance plans. We offer a complete menu of services covering the full spectrum of anatomic and clinical pathology. This includes but is not limited to genetic, prenatal and molecular testing for inherited and acquired disorders, a complete clinical laboratory for metabolic, hormonal and infectious disease testing and of course microscopic examination of biopsy and cytology specimens.