Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. So, during this month more attention is often given to cervical cancer and prevention.

Once the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States, cervical cancer cases have decreased significantly over the years. This good news and decline largely is the result of many women getting regular Pap tests, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Because precancerous lesions found by Pap smears can be treated and cured before they develop into cancer, and because cervical cancer is often detected before it becomes advanced, the incidence and death rates for this disease are lower in the U.S, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Virtually all cases of cervical cancer are caused by specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Therefore, to support physicians and patients in their efforts to detect and prevent cervical cancer, MPLN offers high-risk HPV testing and HPV genotyping.

There are more than 100 types of HPV. Among these, about 15 are considered to be cancer-causing, or high-risk, types. Two of these high-risk types, HPV 16 and HPV 18, cause approximately 70% of cervical cancers worldwide. HPV genotyping, offered by MPLN, identifies HPV 16 and 18 and provides early detection of women at greatest risk for the development of cervical cancer.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved HPV DNA testing in conjunction with cervical cytology (i.e., Pap smears) for routine cervical screening of women aged 30 years and older.

For more information about HPV testing, contact one of our technical service specialists at 800.932.2943.