Cancer is a scary disease. But cervical cancer is one of the few types of cancers that can actually be prevented. Prevention of cervical cancer is possible by finding out if you have a virus called the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Certain “high-risk” types of HPV are now known to cause most cases of cervical cancer.

In the past, doctors have relied on the Pap test to determine who is at risk for cervical cancer.The Pap test looks for abnormal cells in the cervix that are caused by HPV. If these abnormal cells are found early, they can be treated before they turn into cancer. Thanks to the Pap, the number of women who develop cervical cancer has decreased dramatically. However, the Pap test is not foolproof, since it cannot detect HPV directly. When the Pap test is done by itself, abnormal cells may be missed or may not be seen early enough to prevent cervical cancer.

Good news!
You now can have another test along with your Pap that determines if you have HPV. Digene’s HPV test** is the only test for HPV approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It uses advanced technology to detect the genetic (DNA) code of HPV. If you are age 30 or over (when cervical cancer is most likely to occur), it’s recommended that you have the HPV test along with a Pap, to increase your doctor’s ability to protect you against cervical cancer. If you are under 30, your doctor may order an HPV test if your Pap result is unclear or abnormal.

The Link Between HPV and Cervical Cancer
HPV is a common virus. In fact, it’s estimated that 8 out of every 10 people get HPV at some point in their lives.

How does a person get HPV in the first place?
High-risk types of HPV that cause cervical cancer are spread through sex or intimate skin-to-skin contact. HPV can “hide” in the cervical cells for a long period of time and not be detected. There are no warning symptoms for HPV.

If a woman has HPV, does that mean she will get cancer?
No! Most women fight off the virus before it causes any problems. It’s only when high-risk types of HPV don’t go away that abnormal cells can develop.

Doesn’t a Pap test detect HPV?
Not exactly. The Pap cannot detect HPV directly. A laboratory technician looks at a sample of your cervical cells under a microscope for signs of abnormal changes, which are caused by the virus. While the Pap can identify many women in need of treatment, it is not foolproof.

Understanding Your Test Results
The chart below explains what your HPV and Pap results mean to you, as well as how often you should get the HPV test. It is based on recommendations developed by a panel of experts from the National Cancer Institute, the American Society of olposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and the American Cancer Society.

*If you are under age 30, current guidelines say you do not need to be tested for HPV unless your Pap result is unclear or abnormal.

Protect Yourself! Get Both the Pap and HPV Tests

Who should have the HPV test?
Cervical cancer is less of a risk in women younger than 30. Thus, in women younger than 30, medical experts suggest that the HPV test be done only when the Pap is not clearly abnormal, but not clearly normal either. Once a woman reaches the age of 30, the HPV test is approved for routine use, at the same time as the Pap, for every woman.

Will insurance pay for the HPV test?
Most major insurance companies pay for the HPV test if your doctor follows the guidelines for HPV testing issued by medical organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Cancer Society.
However, there are still some insurance plans that do not yet pay for routine HPV testing in women 30 and older.Therefore, it is best to check in advance.

What do you need to do to get the HPV test along with your Pap?
If you have additional questions about the HPV test, go to the Web site www.thehpvtest.com, or talk to your doctor, nurse or other healthcare provider. Do not be afraid to ask questions!

If you are 30 years of age or older and decide you want to have the HPV test along with your Pap, tell your healthcare provider before your next visit. Get the extra peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’ve done everything you can to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

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*Information taken from Digene.com and Thinprep.com ®2006
**Digene's hc2 High–Risk HPV DNA Test® was first approved for follow–up evaluation in women with inconclusive Pap–test results. In 2003, the FDA also approved this test, now known as "The Digene® HPV Test" or DNAwithPap® Test, for routine screening, along with the Pap, in women age 30 and older. The Digene HPV Test screens for presence or absence of 13 types of high–risk HPV that are most associated with cervical cancer.

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