A new study involving data on more than 1 million women finds the HPV test outperforming the standard Pap test in assessing cervical cancer risk. Researchers at the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) conclude that a negative test for HPV (human papillomavirus) infection is associated with an extremely low risk for cervical cancer and provides greater assurance of low cervical cancer risk than a negative Pap test.
Sexually transmitted HPV infection is thought to cause the majority of cervical cancers. The findings support current guidelines that advise that both tests be used in cervical cancer screening, study lead author Julia Gage, a research fellow in the NCI's division of cancer epidemiology and genetics, said in an institute news release. She believes the findings also bolster support for use of the HPV test alone "as another alternative for cervical screening." As the experts…
