What is HPV testing and who should do it

The HPV test is a screening test which looks for the presence of DNA of certain types of Papilloma virus at high risk, i.e. those most often associated with the development of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. Unlike the Pap test, which evaluates whether alterations have already appeared in the cells of the cervix, the HPV test intercepts infection from high-risk strains first. It’s one of the reasons why, in people over 30 years oldthe HPV test has become the preferred tool in organized screening programs: is more sensitive in recognizing who may need closer checks.

how to do the HPV test

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The HPV test is similar to the sampling performed with the Pap test: cells are collected from the cervix during a gynecological examination. The laboratory analyzes the sample to see if high-risk strains of HPV are present. A negative result indicates that, at that moment, there are no traces of those strains and therefore the risk of developing major lesions in the short term is low; for this reason the repetition interval can be longer than for the Pap test. It is important to clarify what the HPV test does not do: it does not diagnose cancer and does not replace any further information when necessary. It is a screening tool, i.e. an initial filter that is used to decide who can wait for the next check-up and who must undergo further tests.

Who should get HPV tested?

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HPV infection is very common in both females and males and, especially at a younger age, often tends to regress spontaneously. For this reason, screening with an HPV test is generally offered in Italian public programs not before the age of 30: under this age there would be a risk of identifying many transitory positivities which would lead to unnecessarily close checks. In Italy it is Cervical screening is offered free of charge for ages 25-64with methods that may vary from region to region. In practice, between the ages of 25 and 29 the Pap test is scheduled every three years, while from the age of 30 onwards the HPV test has progressively become the primary test, with longer intervals in case of negativity. If the result is negative, the check is generally repeated every five years. The HPV test is designed for those without symptoms, because screening is more effective when it detects risky situations in time. However, there are conditions in which the control paths may be different from standard screening. Those who have already had high-grade cervical lesions, those who are immunosuppressed or living with HIV may have specific surveillance protocols, defined by the doctor or reference center.

HPV vaccination

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Vaccination against HPV significantly reduces the risk of persistent infections and lesions caused by the strains included in the vaccine, but does not completely eliminate the risk linked to all possible viral types or infections contracted before vaccination. For this reason, vaccinated people are also included in the screening programs: vaccine and tests are not alternatives, but complementary. The HPV test is a test that searches for high-risk papilloma virus infection and allows early identification of those who may have a greater risk of developing cervical lesions. In Italy it is the reference test for screening after the age of 30, with checks generally every five years in case of a negative result, while at younger ages the Pap test remains central. It is an effective prevention tool, which works better if included in a regular and continuous process of checks.