What is HPV? Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that is transmitted through sexual contact. Most sexually active people (about 75%) are likely to have HPV infection at some time in their lives. Because HPV infection usually has no symptoms, most of these people do not even know they have the infection. Most HPV infections will go away on their own. However, some “high-risk” HPV types do not go away on their own and can cause changes in the cells of the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer. When these changes are detected early by cervical cytology, or when a certain high-risk HPV infection is diagnosed, cervical cancer can often be prevented or cured. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV, and most people don’t even know they are infected. This is an important reason why, when screening for cervical cancer, women older than 30 years of age need to be tested for HPV. Cervical cytology + HPV: a more effective way to determine the risk of cervical cancer Cervical cancer detected at an early stage has a high cure rate, making regular and effective screening important. Cervical cytology is a good way to evaluate the current risk, while HPV testing is a better way to evaluate the future risk. Put together, these two tests can help your doctor more accurately evaluate, your risk of cervical cancer and when you should start your next screening. In other words, the combined test is changing how and when routine screening should be started. Do professional organizations recommend combined testing for cervical cytology and HPV? Both the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) say that combined cervical cytology and HPV testing is an appropriate approach to cervical cancer screening in women over the age of 30. Based on the test results, they also provide guidelines for how often women should be screened. For some women, this means less frequent screening. It is still recommended, of course, that annual pelvic and breast exams be performed. Why should women 30 years and older have combined cervical cytology and HPV testing? In short, it should be prevented and detected early. HPV infection usually resolves on its own, however, persistent infection puts women 30 years and older at a higher risk of cervical cancer. Testing for high-risk HPV lets your doctor know that you may be at high risk for developing cervical cancer and that further or more frequent follow-up testing may be needed. Should women younger than 30 years old have combined cervical cytology and HPV testing? No. Combined testing is not recommended for women under 30 years of age. The reason for this is that cervical cancer does not often occur in younger women and, although HPV infections are very common in women in this age group, they often resolve on their own. However, in younger women, it is useful to perform HPV testing when cervical cytology results suggest ASC-US (atypical squamous cells without clear significance). An ASC-US result means that abnormal cervical cells are found, but it is not yet clear if they are an alarming sign of cancer. HPV testing can determine if an infection is present and if further testing is needed. How do cervical cytology and HPV work? During an outpatient visit, the doctor will collect cells from the cervix. The cytology test, which finds any changes in the cells of the cervix, and the HPV test, which determines if a high-risk HPV infection is present. The results of both tests are then used to determine the risk of cervical cancer. With proper screening and early detection, there is a high cure rate for cervical cancer. If you are 30 years of age or older, combined cervical cytology and HPV testing should be part of your routine screening. For women 30 years of age or older, advanced screening methods that can help your doctor better determine your risk of developing cervical cancer. Combined testing for cervical cytology and HPV gives better results: HPV infection is found in 99.7 percent of cervical cancers. Combined cervical cytology and HPV testing for screening is now considered appropriate for women aged 30 years and older. When both tests are negative, it suggests that you are unlikely to have cervical cancer and are unlikely to develop it in the next few years. P.S. The above is only intended to provide some knowledge about cervical cancer screening and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The diagnosis or treatment of any disease should be based on personal circumstances, family circumstances, symptoms, physical examination, laboratory test results and other information deemed important by your doctor. It is always advisable to talk to your doctor before stopping, starting, or changing any of your treatments.