Understanding HPV and the Importance of Cervical Screening Tests

03 Nov 2021

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major risk factor for the development of cervical cancer, causing approximately 90% of cervical cancers.

However, many women (and people with a cervix) are unaware of the help available in avoiding HPV and cervical cancer.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a common virus that is spread by genital skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.

More than 100 types of HPV have been identified, and about a dozen of these are considered high risk because they can lead to cancer. It is so common that many people have it at some point in their lives and never know it, as there are usually no symptoms and the body’s immune system will naturally clear most types within one to two years.

Cervical cancer can be curable when detected early. The first defence against HPV is the body’s immune system, which is known to fight off many forms of HPV infections. The HPV vaccine (also known as the ‘cervical cancer vaccine’) can protect against several types of HPV, including types that cause cancer. The vaccine is widely available and strongly recommended for boys and girls during adolescence. 

A recent study looked at the national HPV vaccination program in the UK and its effect on cervical cancer. The study found that the vaccine substantially reduced cases of cervical cancer and grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN3) in younger women, particularly those who were vaccinated at the age of 12-13.

The National Cervical Screening Program‘s testing works similarly to the former testing measure, known as the PAP test.

The Pap test looks for cell changes in the cervix, whereas the new Cervical Screening Test looks for HPV, which can lead to cell changes in the cervix. As a result, the Cervical Screening Test promotes earlier detection for developing cervical cancer.

Depending on the test results, a patient may be referred for another screening test in 12 months, 5 years or directly to a specialist. It usually takes 10 or more years for HPV to develop into cervical cancer, and cervical cancer is a rare outcome of a HPV infection.

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal, 2022,  has found that Australia’s new screening test for cervical cancer is detecting cancers that would have been missed by the old test. With continued HPV vaccination programs, and HPV screening by self-collection to come into effect in July 2022, cervical cancer cases in Australia are expected to be below 4 cases out of every 100,000, meeting the public health definition of elimination.

It is important to note that on the occasion that a woman becomes infected with HPV the day after her test, it is unlikely that the infection will cause problems within the following five years (before her next HPV test).

National Cervical Screening Program Guidelines:

If you’re aged 25-74 and have a cervix, you need a Cervical Screening Test every five years. 

If you’ve already received the HPV vaccine, it’s still important to take part in regular cervical screening.

  • Your first Cervical Screening Test is due two years after your last Pap test.
  • If it’s been more than two years, talk to your doctor or nurse about getting screened as soon as possible.
  • After your first Cervical Screening Test, you will only need screening every five years.

Testing is recommended to all persons over the age of 25 who have a cervix and shown to be instrumental in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.

“Women will now only need to have the screening test every 5 years starting at age 25 and continuing to age 70 to 74. It is estimated that 22% fewer women will die of cervical cancer, thanks to this new screening test”.

Assoc Prof Alison Brand AM, Gynaecological Oncologist

The current vaccination and previous screening programs have been very effective against the most common type of cervical cancer, but they have made no difference to the rate of adenocarcinoma, which accounts for 15% of cervical cancers. The new HPV test has the potential to reduce the rates of adenocarcinoma and the benefits for women (and people with a cervix) include less frequent and more effective testing.

Want to learn more?

WomenCan is the fundraising arm for ANZGOG, the peak national gynaecological cancer research organisation. To learn more about ANZGOG's cervical and other gynaecological cancer trials, click here.

For more information about the National Cervical Screening Test, click here.

To learn more about cervical cancer, please visit Cancer Australia’s website.