25 January 2010
HPV tests could reduce cervical cancer in older women
Human papilloma virus (HPV) tests should be used as the standard method of cervical screening for women aged 35 and over, as they detect cells that could potentially become cancerous earlier than smear testing, new research suggests.
HPV, a common sexually transmitted infection, can infect cells on the surface of the cervix and cause their appearance to change. Over time, these changes can lead to cervical cancer. Cervical screening is used to detect potentially cancerous changes in the cells of the cervix.
Italian scientists carried out a randomised controlled trial of over 95,000 women aged between 25 and 60. In the first round, women were randomly assigned to have an HPV test, a smear test or both. In the second round, they all had a smear test only. All women were referred for further tests if necessary and abnormal cells were treated after each round.
The researchers found a significant decrease in the number of invasive cancers found during the second round in women who had an HPV test in the first round, compared with those who had a smear test. This suggests that HPV testing detects changes in cervical cells that could lead to cancer earlier than smear testing, allowing them to be treated before they develop into cancer.
|
Dr Paula Franklin, Director of healthcare development, Bupa. |
What is important is that women attend cervical screening, regardless of the type of test involved. 
For women aged 35 and over, having both an HPV test and a smear test did not increase the sensitivity of screening, suggesting that increased detection of abnormal cells was due to HPV testing alone.
However, for women aged between 25 and 34, HPV testing often led to unecessary further tests and treatment. In this age group, abnormal cells are more likely to disappear on their own over time, so don't always need treatment.
In light of these results, the researchers suggest that HPV tests should be used instead of smear tests for screening women aged 35 and over, and that this could be done at larger intervals than are currently advised.
Dr Paula Franklin, Director of healthcare development for Bupa, said:
"This is an interesting study, but more research needs to be done before HPV tests can be used for routine cervical screening. What is important is that women attend cervical screening, regardless of the type of test involved, as we know that it can save lives."
| Key facts |
|---|
|
Related information
Read the studies
Read the study: Guglielmo Ronco, Paolo Giorgi-Rossi, Francesca Carozzi et al. Efficacy of human papillomavirus testing for the detection of invasive cervical cancers and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Oncology, Early Online Publication, 19 January 2010. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(09)70360-2 www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(09)70360-2/fulltext
Back to the latest health news
