Study says HPV test better than Pap smear to detect cervical cancer

A test to detect human papillomavirus, better known as HPV, has been deemed better than a routine Pap smear in uncovering cervical cancer according to a recent study.

"There are still many questions related to the use of HPV testing as the primary screening test," said Debbie Saslow, director of breast and gynecology cancer for the American Cancer Society. "At this time, HPV testing alone (without a Pap test) is not FDA-approved as a primary screening test, so that approach is not recommended by the American Cancer Society."

Concerns about using the HPV test instead of a standard Pap smear stem from the test's false positive rate and its questionable effect in younger women.

According to the USA Today web site, "Only one Food and Drug Administration approved HPV test made by Digene of Gaithersburg, Md., a Qiagen company is sold in the USA. It is approved only for use in women over 29 as a follow-up to inconclusive Pap smear results or as a 'co-test' done at the same time as a Pap smear. It is not approved as a stand-alone primary screening test."