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The task force has introduced a recommendation that women over the age of 30 test for high-risk human papilloma viruses (HPV) every five years rather than relying on pap smears to detect cervical ...
The HPV test is part of the Pap test. Symptoms often do not occur due to an HPV infection. However, a person with persistent high risk HPV infection may develop symptoms such as lumps, bleeding ...
The preferred screening for women aged 30–65 is "co-testing", which includes a combination of cervical cytology screening and HPV testing, every 5 years. [11] However, it is acceptable to screen this age group with a Pap smear alone every 3 years or with an FDA-approved primary high risk HPV test every 5 years. [11]
The highest-risk types are HPV 16 and 18; these are responsible for the vast majority of HPV-related cancers, including cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and head and neck.
HPV testing can identify most of the high-risk HPV types responsible for CIN. HPV screening happens either as a co-test with the Pap smear or can be done after a Pap smear showing abnormal cells, called reflex testing. Frequency of screening changes based on guidelines from the Society of Lower Genital Tract Disorders (ASCCP).
A study of 996 cervical cytology samples in an Irish urban female, opportunistically screened population, found an overall HPV prevalence of 19.8%, HPV 16 at 20% and HPV 18 at 12% were the commonest high-risk types detected. In Europe, types 16 and 18 are responsible for over 70% of cervical cancers. [198]
The Pap test can be used as a screening test but produces a false negative in up to 50% of cases of cervical cancer. [58] [59] Another concern is the cost of doing Pap tests, which makes them unaffordable in many areas of the world. [60] Confirmation of the diagnosis of cervical cancer or precancer requires a biopsy of the cervix.
The FDA has given the green light to a self-collection solution to test for HPV, making it one of the easiest options available in the U.S. for identifying those at risk of cervical cancer.