LEM Laboratory, part of the Mor Institute Group and affiliated with Clalit, said this week it has reached a major milestone in HPV screening and is expanding access to testing aimed at preventing cervical cancer through earlier detection. The lab said its molecular HPV test is designed to identify high-risk virus strains and guide follow-up care, including for women who do not routinely visit a gynecologist.
LEM said HPV testing became a key tool for early detection in recent years and described the current test as a cornerstone of prevention, replacing older screening pathways in many settings. The lab added that it has prepared in advance for large-scale HPV screening and is using a system it says is unique in Israel.
What the lab says the test can do
LEM said it is the country’s largest pathology testing facility, performing about half a million biopsies each year across multiple types. It said it has installed an automated platform that identifies 14 HPV strains considered high risk for the development of cervical cancer.
According to the lab, strain-level identification is intended to enable more tailored follow-up, based on the specific HPV type detected and its associated risk. A negative result, it said, is typically provided within about a week, after which women can continue routine follow-up on a multi-year schedule.
What happens after the result
LEM said women with a positive HPV result are referred for additional steps, including further evaluation and Pap testing as needed to clarify risk and next actions. The lab emphasized that follow-up is managed through a gynecologist, either via close monitoring or additional treatment when indicated.
Israel’s medical community has repeatedly stressed that vaccination and early detection can sharply reduce the risk of cervical cancer, and public awareness campaigns have highlighted the role of screening alongside immunization.
Self-sampling program expands after pilot
Ruth Baruch, LEM’s CEO, said the lab began offering a self-sampling HPV option about a year ago in cooperation with Clalit’s Southern District, using samples women collect themselves. The lab said the program was initially aimed at women who do not come in for routine gynecological visits, so they can still participate in screening.
LEM said around 430 self-sampling tests have been performed so far, and about 20 returned positive results, with those women referred for additional evaluation. Baruch said the program is now expected to expand to additional locations across the country.
Eligibility and prevention context
LEM said the HPV test is offered at no charge once every five years for women starting at age 25, with gynecologists overseeing care when a high-risk strain is detected. The lab also urged parents to vaccinate children, noting HPV immunization is routinely provided in schools to both girls and boys.
Jerusalem Post reporting has also examined gaps in vaccine uptake in some communities and renewed efforts to raise awareness of HPV’s cancer risks for both women and men.
Baruch said the goal is to reach women who might otherwise skip screening, and to broaden access nationwide “in light of the success of the process,” the lab said.