Pap Testing as Primary Screening

HPV Testing and the Pap Test

In 2001, HPV DNA testing was approved for ASC-US triage, the reflex testing of pap tests interpreted as ASC-US. In 2003, HPV DNA testing received expanded labeling to be used as a co-test with the pap in women over the age of 30. Although HPV testing is not a replacement for cytology, it does provide important adjunctive information that can be useful in managing patients.

HPV testing with the pap test: out of the vial

The ThinPrep Pap Test is the only liquid-based pap test FDA-approved for HPV DNA testing directly from the collection vial.

Learn more about the ThinPrep Pap Test

What HPV testing can do

In the era of HPV testing, knowledge of a patient's current state of cervical health remains critical. When used together, pap testing and HPV testing provide you and your patient with detailed information.

HPV testing provides important information about whether a patient has an HPV infection with any of the 14 high-risk HPV types. This information can be useful in managing patients with inconclusive results.

HPV Testing	Cytology Screening
Determines the presence of a high-risk strain of HPV	Determines the presence of abnormal cells on the cervix
Useful in predicting the patient's risk of developing cervical cancer if the strain is persistent	Useful in confirming precancerous or cancerous cells at a single point in time
Indicated as an adjunctive test to be performed as reflex testing to an ASC-US pap test or for co-testing with the pap for women over the age of 30¹	Indicated as the primary test for cervical cancer screening