HPV - A Virus That Puts Women At Increased Risk For Cervical Cancer
By: News Canada

A Simple Lab Test Could Save Your Life

(NC)-Did you know that one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, called Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is also the leading cause of cervical cancer in women? And that HPV is the most common cause of abnormal Pap smears?

Virtually all cases of cervical cancer are preventable if detected in the pre-cancerous stage. "Although the Pap smear has reduced deaths caused by cervical cancer, it does not detect the Human Papillomavirus, the primary cause of essentially all cervical cancer." Says

Dr Alicia Sarabia, Medical Microbiologist for MDS Laboratory Services. "The MDS HPV test can be easily done through your doctor's office."

How are HPV infections detected?

The new HPV test can detect the DNA of cancer-associated HPV virus in cervical cells and tissues even before there are visible cell changes.

If your doctor informs you that your Pap smear result is questionable, the next step is to order the HPV test to determine if the HPV infection is the cause.

How is the HPV specimen collected?

Your doctor inserts a swab into the cervix to collect cells for testing, just like a Pap smear. A technologist at the laboratory analyzes the specimen and reports the results back to your doctor who uses the HPV and Pap results to determine your treatment. Early detection makes early treatment, and early treatment has been proven successful against cervical cancer.

How can I have the HPV test done?

Your doctor must order the HPV test. The test is available across Canada through MDS Laboratory Services

For more information about the new HPV test, talk to your doctor or visit www.mdscollaborate.com.

About The Author News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web. News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

This article was posted on August 3, 2002

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