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Cervical and Ovarian test risks?

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May 21st, 2011
If you test negative for HPV via a blood test and are in a monogamous relationship or no longer having sex, why would you need pap tests at all?
A Dutch doctor told me, no HPV at 30 = no risk of cervical cancer.
It seems the advice to keep testing is to cover the risk of a woman's risk profile changing (see article noted below) - I think that should be up to the woman to decide, but even taking a HPV blood test every 5 years would cover that possibility anyway. The Dutch don't do pap tests or HPV tests on women under 30 (neither do the Finnish and others) as it doesn't benefit them, but causes great harm with false positives. (no country in the world has shown a benefit from pap testing women under 30, but all have evidence of harm - See: "Cervical cancer screening" in "Australian Doctor" 2006 by Assoc Prof Margaret Davy and Dr Shorne.
Just wondered why the information women receive is so far from the truth and risks their health?


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replied May 25th, 2011
Cervical Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Answer A23382
Hello and welcome to e health forum.

There are no blood tests for HPV, but there are specific blood tests (serology tests) that may show a person has had a HPV infection in the past, but the test cannot determine if HPV is currently present.

Women above the age of 30, in a monogamous relationship, usually have a low risk of HPV infection, and can consult their doctor, who can reduce the interval of testing for HPV, from annually, to once in 3 years.

Testing frequently , is needed when a woman,

- Starts having sex before age 18
- Has many sex partners
- Has sex partners who have other sex partners
- Has or has had a STI

The only women who do not need regular Pap tests are:

1. Women over age 65 who have had 3 normal Pap tests and in a row and no abnormal test results in the last 10 years, and have been told by their doctors that they don't need to be tested anymore.
2. Women who do not have a cervix and are at low risk for cervical cancer.

Pap smear screening is still recommended for those who have been vaccinated against HPV, since the vaccines do not cover all of the HPV types that can cause cervical cancer. Also, the vaccine does not protect against HPV exposure before vaccination.

I hope this information, helps to clear any persisting doubts.




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