National Health Service
of England is going to introduce a superior test of cervical cancer after
successful pilot programme. Experts suggest that it can pick up an extra 600 cancers
a year.
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| Courtesy: Science Photo Library, BBC news |
Women who had been
required for routine smear test can now automatically be checked for Human
papilloma virus (HPV) infection as it is strongly linked to cervical cancer.
It hasn’t been routine
and it was a test only been done by doctors when they notice abnormal cells in
the smear sample. But now Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are currently
considering whether to introduce routine test as a cervical screening
programme.
Factors to know about
HPV
- · Anyone who is sexually active are at higher risk of catching HPV
- · It is not always that a virus will cause cancer, but HPV contrivutes to virtually all cases of cervical cancer.
- · Not all among 100HPV subtypes causes cancer but few among those are significant for the disease in humans
- · HPV testing will be done with sample of cells isolated for cervical screening test. Women who are tested negative will be advised that the cervical cancer risk is incredibly low and can remain in routine screening schedule. Those who are tested positive and with abnormal cells in smear sample can be referred for further investigation and suggest for necessary treatment.
Public Health Minister
for England 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."
Story source: BBC News
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