HPV test reduces cervical smears for thousands of women

Testing for the human papilloma virus (HPV) at the same time as women are screened for cervical cancer would reduce the number requiring further invasive tests by a third, research shows.

Up to eight out of ten people in the UK will be infected with the HPV virus during their lifetime. While most women infected with HPV do not develop cervical cancer, the virus is a major cause of the disease. Around 70 per cent of cervical cancer cases are caused by two HPV strains.

Under the current NHS Cervical Screening Programme, women aged 25 to 49 are advised to have smear tests every three years and every five years for those aged 50 to 64.

The test looks for abnormalities in a sample of cells taken from the cervix, which could lead to cancer.

Under the current system women with borderline or mild abnormalities undergo repeated smear tests, and those with persistent borderline results are offered colposcopy - a detailed examination of the cervix. However, only around 15 to 20 per cent of women with a borderline test end up receiving treatment.

Scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research looked at over 10,000 women aged 25 to 64 whose first smear test had shown mild or borderline abnormalities in the cervix.

They then tested the cervical screening samples were for HPV. Around 35 per cent of the samples (3581 women) were HPV negative, which meant the women were able to return to routine cervical screening.

Women with a positive HPV test were referred for a colposcopy without having to go through further repeat smear tests.

HPV testing is now being incorporated into regular screening for cervical cancer in England.

Dr Sue Moss , who led the study said: "Our study shows that adding HPV testing significantly reduces the number of women sent for more invasive tests, when in fact they do not have any serious cervical changes."

Professor Julietta Patnick CBE, director of the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, said: "By incorporating HPV testing into our current screening programme in this way, we will be able to significantly reduce the number of repeat cytology tests required and to target our colposcopy services more effectively.

"This is an important development in our programme enabling us to screen women more effectively and efficiently, reducing unnecessary procedures and minimising any associated anxiety."

This article was published on Wed 28 September 2011