Cervical Cancer Diagnosis: Pap Test v. HPV Test

December 3, 2007

While many women across the U.S. get pap and human papillomavirus tests, both of which check for cervical cancer, researchers are currently trying to decide which test is better.

The pap test is a yearly screening that women get to check for cervical cancer, and the HPV test checks DNA to see if a woman has a high-risk strain of the virus that can lead to cervical cancer.

At the present time, Mercy Medical Center gynecologist Dr. Christine Vergera said that the HPV test is only given if the pap test reveals atypical cells and doctors aren't sure of what's going on.
sponsor

"If it's atypical but no HPV is found, it's pretty normal. So, it's OK to come back in a year for screening. But if it's atypical and HPV is found, that can be a sign of a problem, and you may be asked to come back in for additional screenings," Vergera said.

If you have a high-risk strain of HPV, it can increase your risk of cervical cancer by at least 250 times, doctors said.

misread Pap Test lawyers

 Subscribe to Cervical Cancer News Information Links