A Better Way to Detect Cervical Cancer?

Once women turn 21, most of them start getting an annual pap smear as part of their regular health care. However, new research shows that the human papillomavirus (HPV) test may actually be a more accurate way of detecting cervical cancer. Replacing the pap smear with the HPV test may allow women go longer between tests with more confidence that they are cancer-free.

The results of a recently published study compared the effectiveness of screening for cervical cancer via the traditional pap smear versus HPV testing. Researchers conducted a clinical trial involving 19,000 participants and concluded that using HPV testing detected pre-cancers both earlier and more accurately than pap smear testing.

Most cases of cervical cancer in the United States are caused by HPV, which is the most common sexually transmitted disease/infection in the United States. According to the CDC, approximately one in every four Americans has HPV.

Most HPV infections clear up without treatment, but some infections are persistent and can lead to the development of pre-cancer lesions. Not every pre-cancer lesion turns into cervical cancer, but almost all cervical cancer can be prevented by treating a pre-cancer condition. Pre-cancer lesions can take years to develop into full cervical cancer.

An NPR article reports that current guidelines recommend women ages 30 to 65 get a pap smear every three years until age 65, or every five years if an HPV test is performed at the same time. “What our study shows is that by using HPV testing, we detect precancerous lesions earlier,” says lead author Dr. Gina Ogilvie. “If women have a negative HPV test, they are… less likely to have a precancerous lesion four years later, meaning we can extend screening time.”

Because HPV is so prevalent among women in their 20s they need to get pap smears. Dr. Kathleen Schmeler, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, points out, “If you tested everyone for HPV in their 20s, they are almost all going to be positive, but there’s going to be all of this intervention that’s not needed.”

Cancer misdiagnosis may be an act of malpractice

Cancer misdiagnoses are some of the most challenging cases in the medical negligence arena because the window for effective treatment can be short. In many circumstances, the symptoms of cancer might mimic the symptoms of a different ailment or illness. Cervical cancer doesn’t always have symptoms, though women may experience abnormal menstruation or pelvic pain.

At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we want our clients to remain in the best of health. We know that sometimes, tests fail – and sometimes, oncologists do, too. If your cancer diagnosis was delayed, or if you were misdiagnosed, talk to our medical malpractice lawyers in South Carolina. Call us today at 803-327-7800 or complete our contact form. We want to help.