Liquid-based cytology and human papillomavirus testing in cervical cancer screening
November 17, 2003
Ottawa — The Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA) has released a report assessing alternatives to the Pap smear for cervical screening.
The two techniques examined by the Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA) are liquid-based cytology and tests for the human papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer.
By pooling the results of studies, researchers found that both techniques are more sensitive for detecting cervical cancer in the general population than the traditional Pap smear. This increase in sensitivity means the techniques are more able to find a true positive diagnosis. However, the HPV test is less specific than the Pap smear, meaning it produces a higher rate of false positive results.
The implications for HPV testing are that women are more likely to experience stress and anxiety, as well as further testing, due to false diagnoses of cervical cancer. HPV testing is a sensitive social issue since it exists in many strains, is quite common in young women and is sexually transmitted. However, not all strains cause cervical cancer.
CCOHTA’s full report Liquid-Based Cytology and Human Papillomavirus Testing in Cervical Cancer is available on-line at www.ccohta.ca
CCOHTA’s report and five other position papers on cervical screening will be considered by key health professional groups and Health Canada at a workshop entitled "Building on Success: a Pan-Canadian Forum on Cervical Screening" in Ottawa, November 21 and 22, 2003.
CCOHTA is an independent not-for-profit organization that provides unbiased, reliable information about health technologies. CCOHTA delivers a health technology assessment program and a common review process for new drugs. CCOHTA is funded by the Canadian federal, provincial and territorial governments.
For more information contact:
Kirk Fergusson: Director, Communications, CCOHTA
kirkf@ccohta.ca
Dr. Gavin Stuart, Dean of Medicine, University of British Columbia
gstuart@medd.med.ubc.ca