HPV DNA Testing as an Adjunct to Cervical Cytology

Although human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing now is available as an adjunct to cytology for cervical cancer screening, no definitive evidence shows that a combination of HPV testing and cervical cytology improves outcomes, reduces costs, or is more acceptable to women than is cytologic screening alone. Consequently, groups have developed different guidelines for integrating HPV testing into screening programs. To assist in providing guidance to health care workers, the NIH-National Cancer Institute, the American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and the American Cancer Society cosponsored a workshop to develop a consensus guideline.

Attendees concluded that HPV DNA testing may be added to cervical cytologic screening for women…