New screening test means hundreds of women could be spared from cervical cancer each year

A study published in the journal JAMA and undertaken by Canadian researchers, has suggested that hundreds of women will be spared from cervical cancer each year when a new test replaces conventional screening.

The new test, which screens for the HPV virus, is more accurate than the current testing for abnormal cells because it is able to detect the cancer-causing infection before the changes that result in the abnormal cells develop.

The study, which involved over 19,000 women, led to ‘significantly higher’ rates of precancerous cells being detected in women, which allowed faster treatment to stop the cancer developing.

The new method will be rolled out on the NHS by the end of next year.

Cancer Research UK’s Fiona Osgun, said “This change to how cervical screening samples are tested will help prevent more cases and save hundreds more lives from the disease.

“This study echoes other research which shows that testing for HPV first makes cervical screening more effective.”

Lead author of the study, Dr Gina Ogilvie, said “Offering women HPV tests for cervical cancer screening detects more precancerous lesions earlier and also a negative HPV test offers more assurance that women will not develop pre-cancer cells in the next four years.

“This can mean that women may need to be screened less frequently but have ore accurate results.”

Cervical cancer most commonly affects women aged between 25 and 50, and is the leading cause of cancer in women under the age of 35. There are currently around 3,000 cases in the UK every year, leading to around 850 deaths.

Chief Executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust Robert Music, described the new screening as “an exciting advancement” in the cervical screening programme.

“It is a much more accurate test that can better identify those at greater risk of cervical cancer, it will save lives.

“There is much to be done to get the programme ready including ensuring the infrastructure is fit to support the move and that women are comfortable and understand why it is changing.

“We must not lose sight of the need to improve attendance of this potentially life-saving test and ensure women can access it.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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