Cervical cancer is often detected through Pap smears; after all, there is a correlation between human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer. But now, a study shows that a new HPV test showed promising results in finding precancerous cervical changes. And, not only that, but the test was more accurate than Pap smears at doing so. The research was conducted through a controlled study, and the results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on July 3.
“The findings from this study don’t surprise me at all,” Dr. Sherry A. Ross, women’s health expert and author of she-ology. The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health. Period., tells Bustle. “There is mounting evidence that HPV is the main reason women get pre-cancer and cancer cells on the cervix.” She believes that the Pap smear test is an antiquated and unreliable screening test for cervical cancer.
“It is important to know the facts about HPV,” Dr. Michael Krychman, MD, OB/GYN, sexual medicine gynecologist and the executive director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine and co-author of The Sexual Spark: 20 Essential Exercises to Reignite the Passion, tells Bustle. “HPV is spread through close contact of genital skin, primarily during penetration either vaginally or anally,” he says. However, penetration isn’t the only way it can be transmitted. So, it goes without saying that an HPV-specific test that can identify precancerous cervical changes would be a game-changer for women’s health.
While some people with HPV with get papillomas — also known as warts — not everyone will. In many cases, the body’s immune system gets rid of an HPV infection before warts appear, according to the Mayo Clinic. “It’s important to note that in most cases, an HPV infection is typically removed and or cleared by the body,” Dr. Krychman says. “But other HPV infections are chronic and some are persistent, so linking in with your medical professional will help ease your anxiety.”
The average length of an HPV infection is between four and 20 months, according to the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, and most people get rid of it within two years. However, not all HPV goes away on its own. Hence, getting tested regularly or precancerous cells is crucial.
