Cervical Cancer: What Does the "Pap Test" Do?
"Pap test" or HPV screening - what's better?
For more than forty years, the smear has been a standard in German doctors' practices: once a year, it was previously agreed, women should have a few cells taken from the cervix, which are then tested in the laboratory. Cervical cancer can be seen so early in the stadium, where he still has very good chances of recovery. Despite this, cervical cancer is still one of the most prevalent forms of cancer for women, with nearly 1,500 deaths a year.
Although the number of illnesses could be dramatically reduced by the introduction of regular tests, it is now under discussion to change to another method. Peter Hillemans is the director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hannover Medical School and head of a commission to set a new guideline for cervical cancer screening by autumn. He told the SZ: "Studies show that another test can further reduce the incidence of cervical cancer."
What is meant is a test for HPV viruses: Since cervical cancer is only caused by sexual contact, such a test could replace the regular smear if the woman in question lives in a monogamous relationship. According to one study, this test procedure is significantly more effective in cancer prevention than the annual smear. In fact, experts also see additional risks in the annual test: if testing is frequent, there are also many positive findings that will lead to further treatment. However, some experts believe that many of these treatments are superfluous, and even bring new risks for the uterus.
In fact, Germany is the leader in terms of frequency of testing, even in international comparison: in a ChroniquesDuVasteMonde interview, health scientist Ingrid Mühlhauser said that other European countries with longer intervals (up to five years) had virtually the same success rates in screenings of early detection would be like Germany. An alternative could be the so-called "Wolfsburg model": In this study, Pap smear and HPV test were successfully combined.
However, the new test procedure is contradicted by the Federal Association of Gynecologists, which is no longer part of the commission. There one suspects economic interests behind the course change: Hillemanns, so the accusation, stands in connection with the producers of the it praised HPV tests. Conversely, HPV test advocates allege that gynecologists naturally also have an economic interest in continuing to make regular cuts.
Until the fall of Dr. Hillemann's guided commission can provide new guidelines - until then there may be new findings and studies. Until finally a decision has been made, you should not give up the regular Pap smear. After all, the only controversy is whether there might be an even better screening method - no one denies that the "Pap test" is effective and has already saved thousands of lives.
