Findings support HPV testing after abnormal smear
Wednesday February 24th, 2010
HPV or human papillomavirus testing after an abnormal smear result is better for women's psychological health than repeat smear testing, researchers said today.
Researchers explain on the website of the British Medical Journal that HPV testing for women with "borderline cervical abnormalities" is available in the US and Europe and will soon be introduced into the cervical screening programme in England and Wales.
Unlike the conventional management for this group - repeat cervical screening at six to 12 months - HPV testing can immediately identify women at higher or lower risk of having a more serious cervical abnormality.
Dr Kirsten McCaffery of the University of Sydney, Australia, and colleagues compared three strategies for the best psychosocial outcomes. A total of 314 women with borderline abnormal cervical smear results were recruited at 18 family planning clinics across Australia. They were randomly assigned to HPV testing, repeat smear test at six months, or the patient's informed choice between the two.
After two weeks, those given a HPV test had lower wellbeing, including "intrusive thoughts", but after 12 months, distress about the abnormal smear was lower among these women.
The authors conclude: "Over the full year of follow-up HPV testing was better for women's psychosocial health than repeat smear testing."
They add: "Offering informed choice could have a small advantage for cognitive outcomes, but in view of the additional effort and logistical complexity that this intervention requires, HPV testing alone can be justified for most women.
"Offering management by HPV testing appears justified to optimise psychosocial outcomes for women with borderline cervical abnormalities."
Tags: Australia | Cancer | Flu & Viruses | Women’s Health & Gynaecology
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