Cervical cancer is the second–most common cancer among women worldwide today. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 11,150 cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2007, while nearly 3,670 women will die from the disease during that time. In developing countries, cervical cancer kills approximately 200,000 women each year.

For an illustration of how providing the HPV test along with a Pap benefits women and cervical cancer screening programs, click "play".

HPV vaccines + HPV screening: essential tools in the fight against cervical cancer. Learn more.

When detected early, cervical disease and cancer can be prevented. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is now recognized as the primary causal factor in the development of cervical disease and cancer. To date, more than 100 types of HPV have been identified and fall into two groups: "low–risk" or "high–risk". Studies have shown that high–risk HPV types are found in 99.7% of cervical cancer cases. Infection with high–risk HPV types also is a significant risk factor for cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) and high–grade cervical disease. By contrast, low–risk types are not associated with cervical disease or cancer; certain ones are known to cause genital warts.

HPV can be accurately detected using DNA–based testing. HPV testing plays a vital role in cervical cancer screening programs. While a Pap test detects cellular changes after disease already may have begun to develop, a high–risk HPV test identifies the causative agent of cervical disease and cancer. Fortunately, many women who have the virus will clear it on their own; only women with persistent high–risk HPV infection are at risk for developing cervical disease or cancer. Early detection of high–grade cervical disease and appropriate follow–up of HPV–positive women can prevent the vast majority of invasive cervical cancers.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing has become a key part of cervical disease and cervical cancer screening programs in the United States and abroad.

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