INDIANAPOLIS and NEW YORK, June 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Strand Diagnostics, LLC, maker of the know error® system for breast and prostate biopsies and Manhattan Labs, a premier clinical laboratory serving Manhattan and the tri-state area, today announced the availability of the myPAP™ test. Developed to complement a Papanicolaou (Pap) test by confirming a patient's identity and helping physicians to proceed confidently with treatment recommendations, the myPAP test compares the DNA profiles of the Pap specimen with a reference DNA sample taken via cheek swab at the time of the Pap test. This state-of-the-art testing is available exclusively for Manhattan Labs' customers who perform Pap testing.

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Cervical cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death, claiming the lives of 275,000 women across the globe annually. Approximately 55 million Pap tests are performed annually in the U.S. to detect the presence of dysplasia or cancerous cells on the surface of the cervix. Pap tests are commonly performed in a healthcare provider's office on women ages 21-65, depending on their individual risk factors.

"If it's caught early, cervical cancer is treatable and curable," said Lawrence J. Levitan M.D., a New York City OB/Gyn. "However, cancer treatment can be life-altering, so it is imperative that we ensure we are providing treatment to the right patient at the right time. The myPAP test will allow us to easily provide this confirmation before any surgical intervention and treatment takes place." 

Pap testing can include up to a 20-step process from the time when the specimen is collected to when laboratory results are completed.  Anywhere along this pathology testing cycle, a specimen identification error can occur. The innovative myPAP test utilizes patient-specific bar coding and forensic chain-of-custody principles for the purpose of reducing errors, and advanced DNA testing (also known as DNA Specimen Provenance Assignment or "DSPA" testing) to match test results with the right patient so as to avoid adverse patient outcomes.

"At Manhattan Labs, we have a long history with clinical testing, and we understand first-hand the complexity of the diagnostic testing process. The potential for identification errors can delay much-needed treatment or even worse, cause the wrong patients to receive the wrong treatments. In the case of Pap testing, where screening guidelines are changing, reducing diagnostic errors is imperative," said Ken Cerney, CEO of Manhattan Labs. "Providing clinicians with the myPAP test allows physicians and their patients the peace of mind to confidently proceed with treatment when required. The myPAP test just makes sense!" 

"At Strand, we have applied our historical competency as a forensics lab to help more than 100,000 individuals with a positive test result confirm that this result really is their result. Using the know error system has helped protect patients from undetected misidentification issues which studies have shown occur in as many as 3.5 percent of the cases," said Ted Schenberg, CEO of Strand Diagnostics. "We commend Manhattan Labs for having the foresight to understand the benefits of introducing DSPA testing to a new group of individuals undergoing Pap testing, utilizing the myPAP test."

To learn more about the myPAP test, please visit: http://manhattanlabs.com/myPAP.

About Strand Diagnostics
As a comprehensive provider of identity confirmation testing services, Strand Diagnostics has a strong track record of using cutting edge technology to solve complex problems in the criminal justice system and life sciences sector. The company's forensic division supports law enforcement agencies with forensic DNA testing services. Strand Diagnostics's healthcare division developed and markets the know error® system, which is used by physicians and laboratories to complete the diagnostic testing cycle for cancer and other histopathological conditions by ensuring patients are always matched with the appropriate diagnosis. With a premier team of scientists and state-of-the-art facility, Strand Diagnostics is at the forefront of molecular testing in a variety of market settings. Visit Strand Diagnostics online at www.StrandDiagnostics.com.  

About Manhattan Labs
Manhattan Physicians Laboratories, LLC ("Manhattan Labs") was founded in 2008 with the goal of creating the premier service-oriented, high-quality independent clinical laboratory in New York City and the surrounding tri-state area. Combining the latest in clinical laboratory technology, personalized service, exceptional turnaround time and easy-to-access results, Manhattan Labs is continuing to elevate the standards and set a new benchmark of service in the laboratory industry. www.ManhattanLabs.com

Contact:

For Know Error inquiries:
Kirsten Fallon
Schwartz MSL Boston
781-684-0770
knowerror@SchwartzMSL.com

For Manhattan Labs inquiries:
Laura Johnson
Manhattan Labs
212-874-0050
ljohnson@manhattanlabs.com 

SOURCE Strand Diagnostics, LLC