Cervical Cancer and HPV Testing

Cervical Cancer

HPV Testing

Cervical Cancer and HPV Testing HPV infection is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer, but this type of cancer can be easily prevented with regular screening tests and vaccination.

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The American Cancer Society reports cervical cancer as one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. The society estimates that about 12,900 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 2015 and about 4,100 women will die from this cancer type.

A high-risk type of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. HPV infection can change cervix cells into precancer cells. Untreated pre-cancer cells turn into cancer. Women can lower their risk of cervical cancer by getting an HPV vaccine as well as having regular Pap tests, being monogamous, and using condoms.

HPV vs.

In the Pap test, cells from the surface of the cervix are checked for abnormal

Pap Smear T E S T

changes that could turn into cervical cancer. On the other hand, the HPV test involves examining the cervix for the presence of certain types of HPV that could become cancerous over time.

HPV was initially used along with Pap testing for women aged 30 yrs & older and as a follow-up test for younger women who have an abnormal Pap test result.

HPV

testing

(the

cobas

HPV

test)

was

approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011 for use in conjunction with or as a follow-up to a Pap test.

Studies conducted later recommended the use of HPV as a first screening line tool to detect cervical cancer, with some saying that it might be a viable alternative to Pap screening as well as co-testing.

Following these findings, the FDA approved the Cobas HPV Test from Roche Diagnostics in April 2014. The Roche test can detect the DNA from 14 highrisk HPV types. It primarily detects the two types of HPV responsible for about 70 percent of cervical cancers. It was found that compared to Pap test, HPV testing can detect more precancerous lesions.

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According to an article that was published recently by the American Society for Clinical Chemistry, two leading medical societies - the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP), and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) - issued an interim guidance report in the journal Gynecologic Oncology supporting HPV in January 2015. The interim guidance recommends that:  HPVpr testing should be considered for women starting at age 25  Those with negative results should not be retested again for at least 3 years  Women testing positive for HPV 16 and 18 should have colposcopy 

Women testing positive for the 12 other high-risk HPV genotypes should have reflex cytology

The author says that experts stress that clinician education about HPV, the interim guidance, and relevant data is crucial.