Testing women for HPV first, instead of using the traditional cervical screening test to detect abnormal cells in the cervix, could cut cervical cancer cases by a third in UK.
|Last Updated: Jun 14, 2013, 04:15 PM IST|Source: Bureau
London: Testing women for the human papillomavirus (HPV) first, instead of using the traditional cervical screening test to detect abnormal cells in the cervix, could cut cervical cancer cases by a third in UK, a new study has claimed.
The tests can prevent around 600 cases of cervical cancer a year in England, according to Cancer Research UK scientists, based at Queen Mary, University of London.
Scientists identified more than 8,750 women with cervical cancer and looked back at their screening records. They found almost 40 per cent had a negative cytology test result - the existing cervical screening test - within six years of their diagnosis.
They then used these data to predict how many more cases of cervical cancer could have been prevented if HPV testing had been used as primary screening test instead of the cytology test.
Assuming that primary HPV1 testing would pick up 95 per cent of the cases missed by cytology, the researchers estimate that it could prevent up to 33 per cent of cervical cancer cases in women aged 25-64 if introduced in England.
The cervical screening programme prevents cases of cervical cancer by detecting and treating abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix, which can be the precursors of cancer.
At the moment cervical cells are studied under a microscope to detect abnormalities, this is known as cytology. HPV testing is only used when women`s cells display mild or borderline abnormalities.
Primary HPV testing is done in the same way but is better at identifying women at risk of cervical cancer.
In England around 1,800 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year in women aged 25-64. This research suggests that HPV testing could cut that number by around a third predicting that around an additional 600 women might have their cancer prevented.
"Cervical cancer screening is already hugely effective but our study shows how much better it could be by swapping to primary HPV testing," said Professor Peter Sasieni, the study author.
"Not only would introducing primary HPV testing prevent more cases of cancer, it would also mean women who tested negative wouldn`t need to be checked as often," he said.
PTI
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies Setting
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. More information can be found in our Cookies and Privacy Policy. You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below.
Manage Consent Preferences
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work or you may not be able to login.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advert as well as help measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we may not know when you have visited our site, and may not be able to monitor its performance.