The diagnosis of cervical cancer is made easier, the DNA test is as effective as the Pap smear

WASHINGTON DC: DNA testing is an effective method of screening for cervical cancer in women in low- and middle-income countries, new research reveals.

The study was published in the Journal of Global Oncology of ASCO.

Cervical cancer is a major problem in low- and middle-income countries because of the lack of adequate screening, such as routine smear testing.

The incidence of cervical cancer badociated with human papillomavirus (HPV) is high in these countries. Due to lack of resources for cancer screening, these countries account for 85% of all cases of cervical cancer.

The team found that out of 1,732 women screened, 28% were HIV-positive for the high-risk HPV type and 26% had more than one HPV infection.

The results also showed that HPV genotypes most commonly detected during testing were different from those commonly found in the United States.

"We have shown that cervical cancer screening can be implemented in low-resource settings using this method and that women are very interested and involved in screening and visits to the follow-up clinic when this was done. necessary, "said Tsongalis.

"This study also identified one thing we were not expecting, namely, a very significant difference between the high-risk HPV types we detect," Tsongalis added.

Such results could have profound implications for immunization programs. "The causes of cervical cancer, although viral in nature, are not always the same type of virus and could have an impact on the aggressiveness of the disease, vaccinations and therapies" Tsongalis said.

The team would like to use its findings to guide studies of cervical cancer tissue and to formulate therapeutic vaccine trials.

"Being able to screen people who have never been tested before and to study the impact of these tests on their health care as well as our understanding of the biology of the disease is extremely stimulating," Tsongalis said.