NyheterViss type of the HPV virus provides increased cancerriskFoto: isabell Höjman/TTSvenska women screened with the pap smear from the cervix from 23 to 64 years of age, to detect skin lesions. New research suggests that it may be more efficient to first test for the HPV virus. Arkivbild.NEWS
That the HPV virus causes cervical cancer has been known for a long time. Now, a new study shows that HPV tests need to be more exact, and that women who carry högriskformer of the virus should cancertestas more often.
Women over 30 who test positive for two types of the Human papilloma virus (HPV) have a significantly higher risk of cancer, according to a new study from Karolinska institutet. HPV is a group of viruses that includes more than 200 different types, of which 16 and 18 are the most commonly used högrisktyperna.
– We have shown that they are HPV 16 – or 18-positive, then runs a very high risk to develop skin lesions and even cancer, ” says Sonia Andersson, professor in gynaecology department of women’s and children’s health at Karolinska Institutet.
the Researchers behind the study also found that women over 30 years old who were carriers of high-risk HPV, regardless of HPV type, was eight times higher risk than women who tested negative for HPV.
pap Smear less important
The study included more than 9,000 normal pap smears from women 20-60 years of age who left the sample in the Swedish screeningprogrammet during the years 2005-2007. Normal pap smear is not a guarantee for not developing high-grade cell changes, according to the researchers.
In the day of the screened women in Sweden with the pap smear from the cervix from 23 to 64 years of age. According to the new guidelines, the screening from 32 years of age, instead to be done with HPV testing in the first place. A change Sonia Andersson believes should also apply to younger women.
– Cellprovet is not of great significance. It is time that Sweden goes over to the primary screening for HPV, to take the HPV test instead of cells.
More precise test
According to Sonia Andersson should the health care system also gets better at pinpointing the type of HPV virus that moves about when it comes to younger patients. And if it is HPV 16 or 18, the patients should be called to be tested more often. Today is the practice to call for re-sampling after three years of cellproverna is normal, even if the patient is carrying the HPV.
– The one that is positive for 16 or 18 should be called in for a new test within a year, ” says Sonia Andersson.
