Cervical cancer screening – a new viral paradigm : cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer among women in South Africa and worldwide

Abstract

There is now enough scientific evidence available to predict that conventional cervical cancer screening with cytology will eventually be replaced by testing for markers of HPV infection associated with disease progression. It is vital that clinicians understand the benefits, limitations and harms of testing. False-positives can be reduced by adhering to the guidelines for age-related testing and the recommended longer screening intervals. Patients must be well informed regarding the role of HPV infection testing in cervical cancer screening.