Primary HPV screening provides 60 - 70% greater protection against invasive cervical cancer than cytology-based screening

Primary screening for HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) provides 60 - 70% greater protection against invasive cervical cancer than the cytology-based ('smear-test') screening currently used in most countries where cervical screening is available, according to new results published in The Lancet. Cervical screening aims to prevent invasive cervical cancer by detecting abnormalities in a woman's cervix which can be a precursor to cancer. In cytology-based screening, the cells taken during the test are examined under a microscope to detect changes...