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The Self Administered Pap Smear

Self Testing for HPV to Avoid Cervical Cancer

Self testing for HPV DNA is as effective as the Pap Smear for identifying women at risk for cervical cancer suggesting that women may have the option of collecting their own vaginal samples for cervical cancer screening instead of at the doctor's office. This latest innovation may improve cervical cancer detection by improving the number of women willing to to be screened.

Traditionally cervical cancer screening has been accomplished via use of a standard Pap Smear, generally taken on an annual basis at a routine gynecological appointment.

The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study in 2000 however, concluding that the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV DNA testing is as effective as the Pap Smear for identifying women who are at an increased risk of developing cervical cancer.

The authors suggested that the test should be used in combination with the Pap Smear for women undergoing routine cervical cancer screenings to improve detection rates of this potentially serious and life threatening disease.

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in women globally. The American Cancer Society points out that more than 50% of women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer do not receive regularly Pap Smears in the three years preceding diagnoses, contributing to the severity of the disease.

Studies suggest that reasons for their lack of regular testing include the inconvenience, time and discomfort associated with obtaining a sample. Thus, one might conclude that less invasive testing measures might improve rates of compliance and early detection among women, particularly those at risk for cervical cancer.

Studies have also concluded that cervical cancer is caused by a specific form of HPV, thus women who are able to collect their own vaginal specimens with a special HPV testing kit are just as likely to detect cervical abnormalities as those undergoing a standard Pap Smears.

In another study conducted by the Costa Rica National Cancer Institute, HPV testing was shown to detect 70% more cervical disease than a standard Pap Smear, further emphasizing the potential benefit of use of this test.

According to research published by the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London, HPV testing offers enhanced sensitivity and thus may allow women the opportunity to screen for cervical cancer less often but with greater confidence. The potential for self collection is also of benefit, and could significantly improve the number of women who are willing to undergo routine screening.

At this point in time the HPV test has not been approved in the United States as a tool for routine cancer screening; however there is adequate evidence to suggest that all women over the age of 35 might benefit from regular HPV testing in addition to Pap smear testing.

Further studies will need to be conducted to determine the frequency with which such testing should occur.

If you are interested in learning more about HPV testing as an adjunct form of screening for cervical cancer, be sure to consult with your physician or obstetrician/gynecologist for additional information.

Remember that regular screening for cervical cancer could mean the difference between life and death. If detected in its earliest stages, cervical cancer is often 100% curable.