Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, is offering self-collection testing for HPV, the human papilloma virus.
HPV causes 90% of cervical cancer.
"By being able to know your HPV status, that allows us to have a better sense of whether or not you're at risk for cervical cancer," says Dr Emily Brophy, an obstetrician-gynecologist with LVHN.
Dr. Brophy says for the swab test, a patient can choose to have the doctor leave the room so they can collect the sample themselves or she can have the doctor collect it.
If the test is positive, a woman should have a Pap test too. But if it's negative, she won't need a retest for three years.
Dr. Brophy says up to 30% of women due for cervical cancer screening don't get it.
"I'm hopeful that those women that have been a little resistant to coming to the Ob-gyn office will now have a more, a less-invasive approach to cervical cancer screening," Dr. Brophy says.
Right now, the FDA only allows self-testing in medical offices, but could some day approve at-home tests.