Page 66 - Screening for Cervical Cancer: Systematic Evidence Review
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Chapter III. Results
Risks
We did not identify any studies that explicitly addressed negative individual, health
system, or societal consequences of HPV testing other than cost, which is addressed briefly
below. Comments in various publications suggest potential risks fall within 6 categories of
concerns listed below, but no literature addresses the likelihood of any of these reactions or their
magnitude:
1. Focusing on HPV testing will strongly identify cervical dysplasia and cancer with
sexually transmitted disease (STD) and will stigmatize those with the condition.
2. Identifying cervical dysplasia with a sexually transmitted virus will result in women
who perceive themselves as at low risk for STD receiving less cervical cancer
screening.
3. Diagnosis of HPV infection will provoke partner discord.
4. Diagnosis of HPV infection, given low-positive predictive value, will unnecessarily
label some women as high risk.
5. Labeling women as infected with a high-risk HPV types will provoke anxiety that
may have unpredictable consequences such as over-intervention or poor compliance
with followup.
6. HPV testing could undermine the importance of cytologic screening with providers or
patients.
Costs
Current costs and charges for HPV testing in clinical care vary widely by geographic
location, test modality, laboratory contracts with vendors, and volume of specimens analyzed at
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