Finding the right tests…
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Finding the right tests…
Molecular
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a group of more than 200 related viruses, and a small number of high-risk types are behind nearly all cervical cancer. An HPV test checks a sample of cervical cells, usually collected the same way as a Pap smear, for genetic material from these high-risk types. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends HPV testing, alone or combined with a Pap smear as cotesting, for women aged 30 to 65, done every five years rather than annually. Under 30, screening usually relies on the Pap smear alone, since HPV infections at that age are common and tend to clear without treatment.
A negative HPV result means none of the high-risk types tested for were found in your sample, which is reassuring given how slowly cervical cancer usually develops. A positive result names infection with one or more high-risk types but, on its own, does not mean you have precancer or cancer. Your doctor uses the result alongside your Pap smear findings, when done together, to decide whether you need closer monitoring, a repeat test in a set interval, or a follow-up procedure called colposcopy to look at the cervix more closely.
HPV is a large family of viruses passed through skin-to-skin contact, most often during sex. Low-risk types can cause genital warts. High-risk types don't usually cause symptoms but can, over years, lead to changes in cervical cells that turn into cancer if left unchecked. The HPV test looks for genetic material from these high-risk types in a sample of cervical cells.
The USPSTF recommends against routine cervical cancer screening for women under 21. For women 30 to 65, it recommends choosing one of three approaches: an HPV test every five years, a Pap smear every three years, or both together as cotesting every five years. Screening isn't usually needed after age 65 if prior results were normal, or after a hysterectomy that removed the cervix, unless there's a history of a high-grade abnormality or cervical cancer. Ask your doctor which schedule fits your history.
Most HPV infections are cleared by the immune system on their own; CDC data suggests roughly 9 out of 10 clear within two years without ever causing a problem. A positive HPV test flags an infection worth watching, not a cancer diagnosis. It's the infections that persist for years that carry the real risk, which is why doctors recommend a monitoring plan rather than immediate treatment for most positive results.
An HPV test looks for genetic material from high-risk HPV types, the virus that can lead to cervical cancer over time. A Pap smear instead looks at the actual cervical cells under a microscope for abnormal changes. The two are often done together, called cotesting, using the same sample.
No. A positive result means a high-risk HPV type was found, not that you have precancer or cancer. Most HPV infections are cleared by the immune system within a couple of years; your doctor uses the result to decide on monitoring or further testing, not to diagnose cancer on the spot.
Current USPSTF guidance recommends HPV testing, alone or combined with a Pap smear, starting at age 30. Under 30, screening usually relies on a Pap smear alone, since HPV infections at younger ages are common and typically clear without treatment.
This page is general information about the test, not medical advice. Your own report's reference ranges apply — please discuss your results with your doctor.
There isn't a routine, approved HPV screening test for men the way there is for cervical screening in women. Ask your doctor if you have specific concerns, such as visible warts, since management differs from cervical HPV screening.
Most of the time, yes. CDC data indicates roughly 9 out of 10 HPV infections clear on their own within two years without causing any health problems. It's the infections that persist for years that carry the real risk of progressing toward precancerous changes.
Yes. The vaccine protects against the HPV types most likely to cause cancer, but it doesn't cover every high-risk type, and it doesn't help with infections you already had before vaccination. Routine screening still applies on the same schedule.
A healthcare provider inserts a speculum and collects cells from the cervix with a small brush or swab, the same way a Pap smear sample is taken. Ask your doctor or the centre what to expect for your visit.