The human papillomavirus test (HPV) test could improve the (cost-) effectiveness of cervical screening by selecting women with a very low risk for cervical cancer during a long period. An analysis of a longitudinal study suggests that women with a negative Pap smear and a negative HPV test have a strongly reduced risk of developing cervical abnormalities in the years following the test, and that HPV testing lengthens the detectable stage by 2-5 years, compared to Pap smear detection alone.

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doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6601355, hdl.handle.net/1765/66798
British Journal of Cancer
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam