Reconsidering Primary HPV Testing in Cervical Cancer Screening

Abstract

Abstract:Inappropriate testing for HPV types on healthy subjects increases costs without benefit and potentially results in overtreatment. HPV testing also has a negative psychosocial impact on women, increasing anxiety, stress, and concerns on sexual relationships. Giving the fact that HPV testing has been shown to have similar sensitivity but more overdiagnosis than cytology, and also giving the fact that false negative results may be higher than previously suspected, primary screening with HPV tests in European countries should be reconsidered. Resources saved in molecular testing may well be addressed in implementing vaccination strategies which are still underused, and may possibly include males as well as women.

Health Interventions and Misuse of Cervical Cancer Screening among Young Women

“…For women younger than age 30 years, the potential harms of screening with HPV testing (alone or in combination with cytology) outweigh the potential benefits. However, for women younger than age 21 years, regardless of sexual history, the harms of screening outweigh the benefits [5][14] [15]. Despite many arguments, there are few studies that estimate the effect of various health intervention and cognitive information on the misuse of cervical cancer screening methods, particularly, by using nationwide survey data.…”