In recent years, new molecular tests have been showing up on my radar. Some of these tests make fantastic claims, such as a simple blood test able to screen for a multitude of cancers before you even have symptoms. I have also seen reports from a saliva test that says...

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend my very first Laboratory Enrichment Forum, COLA’s own national laboratory conference. This year it was held at the Gila River Resort in Chandler, Arizona. The venue and outside environment were beautiful, the food was...

My favorite time of year is finally here: Lab Week! Did you know that Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (MLPW) is celebrating its 50th anniversary? According to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), MLPW originated in 1975. COLA is excited...

Hello laboratory professionals! I’d like to introduce myself to the readers of Laboratory Watch. My name is Cynthia Bruzzi, and I was recently named Medical Director of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at COLA. As such, I and guests will be the new authors of this...

Welcome back to our ongoing series on the use of primary HPV testing in cervical cancer screening. In this installment, we aim to shed light on the issues of false negatives and false positives that can occur with primary HPV testing. False Negative HPV Results The...

The global effort to eradicate Guinea worm disease, or dracunculiasis, is nearing a historic milestone, thanks to decades of persistent, community-driven initiatives that have dramatically reduced human cases. However, recent challenges, particularly the rise of...

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the U.S., one in eight women is expected to develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Laboratory testing is indispensable in the diagnosis and management of this disease. In recognition of...

Chagas disease, caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and transmitted by triatomine insects, or “kissing bugs,” affects over 6 million people worldwide, leading to around 10,000 deaths annually. Despite its global impact, awareness of Chagas disease...