Urinary Human papillomavirus home test could be an alternative to screening by cervical smear

A new study evaluated an alternative HPV cervical cancer test for women who are reluctant to have a Pap Smear. 

This new study conducted in France, presented in an oral session at the European Congress for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases on April 13, 2019, found the urinary Human papillomavirus (HPV) test could be an alternative to the usual screening by a cervical pap smear. 

This would extend cancer screening coverage to more women. 

In France, cervical cancer screening is currently based on cytological examination of a Pap Smear for women aged 25 to 65, but screening coverage is unsatisfactory. 

HPV urinary testing is a home-based, non-invasive test and does not require medical attention.  

Previous studies showed that urinary HPV testing for high-risk HPV testing increases rates of compliance. 

HPVs are a group of more than 150 related viruses. Each HPV virus is given a number, which is called an HPV type. 

The urinary test for HPV can detect 28 different genotypes. 

There are a variety of HPV tests available from various US vendors, for more information speak with Quest Diagnostics.

Patients who receive a positive test result are encouraged to follow up with a Pap Smear, while women who test negative, are advised to undergo a Pap Smear within 1 year. 

Pap smear tests are tests that a doctor performs to check for the development of cervical cancer or precancerous changes to the cells of the cervix, which are called lesions, said the Cochrane Library. 

These lesions can develop into cervical cancer within 10 to 20 years. 

The Pap test checks for whether cells in the cervix are abnormal. Abnormal cervical cells that are tested as ‘low grade to high grade’ may mean that there are precancerous changes in the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer. 

One type of Pap test is ‘conventional cytology’ and another is ’liquid-based cytology’. Depending on the test, if it is positive a woman may need to have the cervix examined or could receive surgery to have the precancerous lesion removed. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 79 million people are currently infected with HPV in the United States, and about 14 million people in the USA get a new HPV infection every year. 

Questions related to cervical cancer should be directed to a qualified healthcare provider for a response. 

Recent cervical cancer news articles:

• Scotland's HPV Vaccination Significantly Reduced Cervical Cancer
• Therapeutic Vaccine Clears HPV in One-Third of Cervical Precancers
• Promoting Cancer Prevention in Texas

Relevant Links:  CDC vaccination schedules, CDC vaccine price list, and how to report vaccine side effects