What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common infection often spread through skin-to-skin contact, mostly sexual activity. Though there are more than 200 strains, about 40 of them can cause genital warts or cancer in humans.
How common is HPV?
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. It is currently estimated that about 80% of women and 90% of men will have an HPV infection at some point in their lives.
Who are at the risk of HPV infection?
Because HPV is so common that most people who have sex are at risk for (and at some point will have) an HPV infection.
Factors related to an increased risk of HPV infection include:
Having sex for the first time at an early age (before the age of 18);
Having multiple sexual partners;
Having one sexual partner that has multiple sexual partners or has an HPV infection;
Being immunocompromised, such as those living with HIV;
Are all HPV strains fatal?
Low-risk HPV infections (that can cause genital warts) are not fatal. Mortality rates are reported on high-risk HPV-related cancers that can be fatal. However, if diagnosed early, many can be treated.
Screening and Early Detection
Regular HPV screening and early detection are essential as cervical cancer (nearly100% caused by high risk HPV infection) is preventable and curable if detected at the early stage.
HPV DNA based test is recommended by WHO as the preferred method, rather than visual
inspection with acetic acid (VIA) or cytology (commonly known as a ‘Pap smear’), currently the most commonly used methods globally to detect pre-cancer lesions.
HPV-DNA testing detects high-risk strains of HPV which cause almost all cervical cancers. Unlike tests that rely on visual inspection, HPV-DNA testing is an objective diagnostic, leaving no space for interpretation of results.
How often for HPV DNA testing?
WHO suggests using either of the following strategies for cervical cancer prevention:
For the general population of women：
HPV DNA detection in a screen-and-treat approach starting at the age of 30 years with regular screening every 5 to 10 years.
HPV DNA detection in a screen, triage and treat approach starting at the age of 30 years with regular screening every 5 to 10 years.
For women living with HIV：
l HPV DNA detection in a screen, triage and treat approach starting at the age of 25 with regular screening every 3 to 5 years.
Self-Sampling makes HPV DNA testing easier
WHO recommends that HPV self-sampling be made available as an additional approach to sampling in cervical cancer screening services, for women aged 30-60 years.
Macro & Micro-Test’s new HPV testing solutions allow you to collect your own samples at your convenient place rather than go to the clinic to have the gynecologist take the sample for you.
The self sampling kits provided by MMT, either cervical swab sample or urine sample, enable people to collect the samples for HPV tests with in the comfort of their own home, also possible in pharmacies, clinics, hospitals... And then they send the sample to the healthcare provider for lab analysis and test results to be shared and explained by the professionals.
Post time: Oct-24-2024