Screening HPV infection alone more accurate than Pap test in detection of cervical cancer

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-01/e-shi010815.php

Public Release: 8-Jan-2015
Elsevier

Screening for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection alone gives more accurate results than Pap (smear) testing for cervical cancer, say the authors of two papers to published today in the journal Gynecologic Oncology. HPV infection causes almost all cervical cancer, and it is estimated that more than half of sexually active people are infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Now new research has shown that in many cases, an HPV test alone can be used for cervical cancer screening instead of a Pap or cotesting with both an HPV and a Pap test, the researchers say.

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Infection with just two HPV genotypes, 16 and 18, is responsible for about 70% of all invasive cervical cancers worldwide. The panel recommends that patients testing positive for either of these two high risk genotypes should have immediate colposcopy - a procedure using a lighted magnifying device that allows doctors to see abnormal areas in the cervix that would be missed by the naked eye. Women with one of the 12 other HPV genotypes can be followed-up in 12 months with repeat testing with both the HPV test and a Pap.

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