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05/12/2003
New 'more effective' cervical cancer test developed
A new test has been developed that could provide a "more effective early warning system" for preventing cervical cancer than the traditional smear – according to Cancer Research UK scientists.
A report, published today in The Lancet, says that the test, which is designed to detect a virus that causes almost all cervical cancer, is far more sensitive than the smear.
The results of the study, involving 11,000 British women aged 30 – 60, suggested that the test had the potential to become "the main screening tool for preventing cervical cancer".
Scientists found that the test for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) detected 97% of significant cervical abnormalities compared to 76% for the smear. About 20% of women under 25 carry the HPV virus but this drops to 5% by the age of 40, the charity said.
Professor Jack Cuzick, Cancer Research UK's Head of Epidemiology who led the study, said: "Our findings are so promising that a pilot project should now be set up to see how the new test should be integrated into the existing cervical screening programme."
HPV infection is extremely common, but most infections disappear without causing any disease and without the need for treatment. Only when the infection persists can it cause cervical cancer.
The study focused on how best to use the test's greater sensitivity without over-treating infections that would otherwise be cleared naturally by the body's immune system.
The authors suggest that HPV testing could be the primary screening test and smears would be done (using the remainder of the sample) only in women who tested positive for the virus. If that smear were negative, the study showed that it was safe to monitor these women by re-testing a year later to see if the infection had disappeared.
Scientists also believe that this approach could reduce the number of women who are needlessly referred to hospital clinics because of false positive smear test results.
(gmcg)
A report, published today in The Lancet, says that the test, which is designed to detect a virus that causes almost all cervical cancer, is far more sensitive than the smear.
The results of the study, involving 11,000 British women aged 30 – 60, suggested that the test had the potential to become "the main screening tool for preventing cervical cancer".
Scientists found that the test for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) detected 97% of significant cervical abnormalities compared to 76% for the smear. About 20% of women under 25 carry the HPV virus but this drops to 5% by the age of 40, the charity said.
Professor Jack Cuzick, Cancer Research UK's Head of Epidemiology who led the study, said: "Our findings are so promising that a pilot project should now be set up to see how the new test should be integrated into the existing cervical screening programme."
HPV infection is extremely common, but most infections disappear without causing any disease and without the need for treatment. Only when the infection persists can it cause cervical cancer.
The study focused on how best to use the test's greater sensitivity without over-treating infections that would otherwise be cleared naturally by the body's immune system.
The authors suggest that HPV testing could be the primary screening test and smears would be done (using the remainder of the sample) only in women who tested positive for the virus. If that smear were negative, the study showed that it was safe to monitor these women by re-testing a year later to see if the infection had disappeared.
Scientists also believe that this approach could reduce the number of women who are needlessly referred to hospital clinics because of false positive smear test results.
(gmcg)
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04 April 2003
Cervical cancer risk link to contraceptive pill
Women who take the contraceptive pill may increase their risk of cervical cancer, according to a major new study published in the Lancet today.
Cervical cancer risk link to contraceptive pill
Women who take the contraceptive pill may increase their risk of cervical cancer, according to a major new study published in the Lancet today.
03 May 2006
'More reassurance' needed for women over smear tests
More than a quarter of women who receive slightly abnormal smear test results are experiencing "unnecessarily high levels of anxiety", new research has suggested.
'More reassurance' needed for women over smear tests
More than a quarter of women who receive slightly abnormal smear test results are experiencing "unnecessarily high levels of anxiety", new research has suggested.
28 April 2010
Sexual Infection Testing Beats Normal Cancer Smear Detection Rates
A new study has revealed that a screening test for sexually transmitted infection detects more cervical severe pre-cancerous cells than conventional cancer screening tests. The relatively new test is known as the HPV test (Human papillomavirus) and is an established cervical screening programme.
Sexual Infection Testing Beats Normal Cancer Smear Detection Rates
A new study has revealed that a screening test for sexually transmitted infection detects more cervical severe pre-cancerous cells than conventional cancer screening tests. The relatively new test is known as the HPV test (Human papillomavirus) and is an established cervical screening programme.
22 October 2003
Drive for 'more reliable' cervical cancer testing unveiled
The government has announced a £7.2 million package over the next two years to help create a "new, more reliable technique" for screening women for cervical cancer.
Drive for 'more reliable' cervical cancer testing unveiled
The government has announced a £7.2 million package over the next two years to help create a "new, more reliable technique" for screening women for cervical cancer.
17 June 2009
Wealth And Ethnicity 'Linked To Whether Women Have Breast And Cervical Screening'
White British women are more likely to have had a cervical screening and there is more chance that women who own a car and/or home have had a mammogram, according to research published on bmj.com today.
Wealth And Ethnicity 'Linked To Whether Women Have Breast And Cervical Screening'
White British women are more likely to have had a cervical screening and there is more chance that women who own a car and/or home have had a mammogram, according to research published on bmj.com today.
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