HPV Test

Published Jan. 23, 2024

By Hopkins Medtech

What is HPV?

HPV is short for human papillomavirus. It’s a group of viruses comprising more than 200 related viruses, among which over 40 types can be transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. Most sexually active individuals will contract HPV at some point in their lives.

 

What health problems does HPV cause?

Some HPV types cause papillomas (warts), which are non-cancerous tumors. But some types of HPV are known to cause cancer, including cancers of the cervix (the base of the womb at the top of the vagina), vagina, vulva (the area around the outside of the vagina), penis, anus, and parts of the mouth and throat. In most cases (9 out of 10), HPV goes away on its own within two years without health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer.

 

Introduction to HPV tests

The HPV test is a screening test for cervical cancer, but the test doesn’t tell you whether you have cancer. Instead, the test detects the presence of HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer, in your system. Certain types of HPV — including types 16 and 18 — increase your cervical cancer risk.

Knowing which type of HPV that puts you at high risk of cervical cancer means that you and your doctor can better decide on the next steps in your health care. Those steps might include follow-up monitoring, further testing, or treatment of abnormal cells.

An HPV test is usually done at the same time as a Pap test — a test that collects cells from your cervix to check for abnormalities or the presence of cancer. An HPV test can be done using the same sample from the Pap test or by collecting a second sample from the cervical canal.

 

DNA-based testing for HPV

DNA-based testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) has been shown to be more effective than today’s commonly used screening methods aimed at detecting and preventing cervical cancer, a major cause of death among women worldwide. WHO recommends DNA testing as a first-choice screening method for cervical cancer prevention.