PathAdvantage Journal
Welcome to our PathAdvantage Journal. We strive to keep you up to date with the latest in testing, treatments, biopsy techniques and clinical management guidelines as part of your patient care team. We also welcome dialogue, feedback and questions from providers on topics you’d like to read more about.
25 Years in Women’s Health: A PathAdvantage Timeline
This year marks 25 years of PathAdvantage serving clinicians and their patients. Since 2001, our mission has stayed the same: deliver personal, patient-centered pathology with a clear focus on women’s health and the clinicians who provide it every day. To reach this goal, we’ve pushed ourselves...
The MatrixBrush: A Gentle, Accurate Method of Endometrial Sampling
For most patients, abnormal uterine bleeding can be extremely concerning. Diagnosing the cause often requires sampling the endometrium, previously a painful process for many women. Fortunately, modern sampling devices now allow clinicians to evaluate the endometrium gently, precisely and in an...
A Better Cervical Biopsy: Same Accuracy, Less Pain
Cervical biopsies are essential for detecting precancerous lesions in the cervix; however, biopsies of this sensitive area have also had a reputation for being uncomfortable…to even painful. But, that’s no longer the case. Innovation and technology now make it possible to perform a gentle,...
Why We Use PCR-Based GBS Testing
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most important — yet often overlooked — infections screened for during pregnancy, because identifying it early can make all the difference in protecting a newborn’s health. Why is GBS Testing Important? Group B Streptococcus is a type of bacteria...
Behind the Microscope: An Interview with Pathologist Dr. Vargas
At PathAdvantage, compassionate client care is the foundation of an excellent physician. Pathologist Alejandro Vargas M.D. takes this objective seriously, letting passion and empathy guide his work. Dr. Vargas obtained a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences at the University of Notre...
At-Home HPV Testing: Promise or Peril in a New Screening Era
The FDA approval of at-home HPV testing is being marketed as a paradigm shift in cervical cancer screening, touting benefits such as superior convenience, accessibility and comfort. However, while at-home HPV testing addresses barriers to traditional in-clinic visits, it cannot replace more...
Behind the Microscope: An Interview with Dr. Fong
At PathAdvantage, accurate diagnosis is the foundation of exceptional care— and pathologist Erika Fong, M.D., plays a critical role in making that possible. Dr. Fong earned her medical doctorate from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, School of Medicine with...
A Promising New Approach to Bacterial Vaginosis
What is Bacterial Vaginosis? Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a widespread vaginal infection, impacting roughly one in three women globally during their lifetime. It is a serious illness, resulting from a disruption in the vaginal microbiome where healthy lactobacilli are...