In 2010, the High Authority for Health (HAS) published recommendations on the prevention and screening of cervical cancer for the attention women aged 25 to 65. But the detection rate – about 60% – still remains insufficient and there are still 1,000 deaths each year. This is why the HAS is today publishing a update of its recommendationsby integrating the HPV test into the screening strategy.
A more effective test for women over 30
The HAS now recommends the use of the HPV test as first intention during the cervical cancer screening from 30 years old. Unlike cytology, which looks at cell morphology, HPV testing looks for the presence of high-risk HPV virus DNA in women. Its reliability is better than the classic smear and the false negatives are exceptional. “In women over 30, it is clearly more effective in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer. In addition, in the event of a negative test, the use of the HPV test makes it possible to extend the ‘interval between two screenings – going from every 3 years to every 5 years after 30 years’ underlines the HAS.
On the other hand, before the age of 30, it is not recommended because the HPV infections transients are very common in young women. Their detection would in fact expose them to inappropriate treatments, thus increasing the risk of complications during subsequent pregnancies.
To improve screening, the HAS also recommends that this test be fully covered by health insurance, without upfront costs, with the objective that all women aged 30 to 65 take one every 5 years.
Read also :
The HPV vaccine may reduce the number of smears
Cervical cancer: social networks for prevention
