The Changing HPV Testing Landscape & the Impact of Primary Screening

One pillar of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global cervical cancer elimination strategy includes that at least 70% of women are screened for cervical cancer using a high-performance test. WHO recommends the use of a human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test for primary screening rather than cytology in screening and treatment approaches for both the general population and women living with HIV. American Cancer Society released an updated cervical cancer screening guideline calling for primary HPV screening as the preferred strategy. Utility of HPV primary screening enables risk stratification by genotyping which leads to more effective triage and personalized care for patients. Dr. Steben will review the burden of cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening guidelines, the shift from cytology/cotesting to primary screening and the future of HPV testing. Dr. Riedel will review verification of HPV assays and their role in the implementation of HPV primary screening.