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DoH announces improved cervical screening test to detect cancer earlier (7 July 2016)

Date: 07/07/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, DoH announces improved cervical screening test to detect cancer earlier

The Department of Health (DoH) has announced changes to the cervical screening process, to improve detection of cancer of the cervix.

The DoH said that screening samples will now be tested for human papilloma virus (HPV) first, which is often the cause of changes to the cervix and cervical cancer.

The test is thought to be more accurate than the current screening test – currently, cervical screening samples are first tested using the cytology test when a sample is examined for abnormal cells that could go on to develop into cancer.

However, the cytology test leaves room for abnormal cells to be missed, as they sometimes look similar to normal cells. Normal cells can also be misdiagnosed as abnormal.

Testing for HPV is used as a secondary measure for samples needing further investigation. Women with mild or borderline cytology results are tested for HPV and, if negative, are returned to the routine screening programme.

Women who are HPV positive are referred for a medical examination of the cervix called a colposcopy.

After a successful pilot programme and a recommendation by the UK National Screening Committee, screening samples will be tested for human papilloma virus (HPV) first – and this will be rolled out across England as the primary screening test for cervical disease, as 99.7% of cervical cancers are caused by persistent HPV infection, which causes changes to the cervical cells.

The DoH says that, if HPV is found, it is a useful guide as to whether abnormal cells are present.

Women can then be monitored more closely and any developing abnormal cells found sooner. If HPV is not found in samples, the test also minimises over-treatment and anxiety for women.

Women aged 25 to 49 are invited for cervical screening every three years –
or every five years for women aged between 50 and 64.

Public Health Minister Jane Ellison said:

“These changes are a breakthrough in the way we test women for cervical disease – the new test is more accurate, more personal and will reduce anxiety among women.

“Cervical screening currently saves 4,500 lives a year – and this new test will ensure the early signs are spotted and treated earlier.”

The new testing process could prevent around 600 cancers a year, according to Cancer Research UK. Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, Sir Harpal Kumar, said:

“It’s a huge step forward that the government is now introducing the HPV test to improve cervical screening.

“Testing first for the human papilloma virus will help prevent more cervical cancers, as it can pick up the cancer-causing infection before any abnormalities can develop in the cells.

“The need for improvements to the cervical screening programme was set out in the cancer strategy for England last year, so it’s good to see progress being made.”

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