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Women's Health
HPV Test Finds Cervical Cancer EarlierThe human papillomavirus (HPV) test is better than the traditional Pap test alone as a screening tool for cervical cancer - both in the short and long term, researchers say.  Nearly all cervical cancer is caused by HPV, a sexually transmitted disease. So screening for HPV can help detect precancerous changes or lesions in the cervix before they become cancer. One or both testsDutch researchers evaluated nearly 45,000 women, ages 29 to 56. Women in one group got a traditional Pap test and an HPV test. The women in the other group got just the Pap test. Five years later - the usual screening interval in the Netherlands - all of the women got both tests. The researchers wanted to find out if the initial HPV test led to fewer precancerous lesions and fewer cervical cancer cases in the second screening, because of earlier detection and treatment. More changes foundIn the first screen, the HPV test found more precancerous changes than the Pap test alone did. Five years later, far fewer women in the HPV group had more advanced lesions or cervical cancer than did the Pap-only women. The study results were published in Lancet Oncology. In an accompanying editorial in the same issue, scientists from the National Cancer Institute say that the Dutch trial does show the five-year screening interval is safe. But they add that it's unclear if the same results would hold true in a different population with different testing guidelines. The researchers say the HPV test group had fewer instances of advanced lesions because lesions were detected earlier. When lesions were treated, it helped prevent them from progressing. The HPV test can be done using the same specimen collected for the Pap test. Pap still importantElizabeth Poynor, M.D., at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, says she doesn't think the HPV test will completely replace the Pap test. "It may turn out to be a first-line screen," she says. "Certainly ask your physician if you've had HPV." The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force remains cautious about the use of the HPV test, standing by the Pap as the best bet for now. Always talk with your health care provider to find out more information. Online Resources(Our Organization is not responsible for the content of Internet sites.) American Cancer Society - Thinking About Testing for HPV? CDC - Cervical cancer screening with the HPV test and the Pap test in women ages 30 and older |
February 2012What Is HPV?The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 100 kinds of viruses. These viruses can cause warts, such as genital warts. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. There are more than 30 kinds of genital HPVs. To differentiate between the types of HPV, each has a number, such as HPV-16. Some of these have been linked to different kinds of cancer, including cervical, penile, anal, vaginal, vulvar, and oral cancers. Although genital HPV can spread through skin-to-skin contact, it is usually transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual intercourse with a person who has the virus. Because warts may not always be present or visible, it is impossible to tell just by looking if a person has genital HPV. Also, people may not know that they have HPV because they may not have symptoms. HPV infection is thought to be a major cause of cervical cancer. Certain types of HPV, including HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-31 and HPV-45, increase a woman's risk for cervical cancer. Some types of HPV are less likely to turn into cancer. These include HPV-6 and HPV-11. Always talk with your health care provider to find out more information. |
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