A fresh molecular test is available in Poland, which is twice as effective as conventional cytology in detecting precancerous cervical lesions. This molecular HPV HR test is available in a prevention program funded by NFZ. According to experts, molecular diagnostics can origin cervical cancer to be overcome.
Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna stressed that the molecular test is simply a ‘game chainer’ in the prevention of cervical cancer. “We frequently don’t come for tests due to the fact that we are afraid of results. The molecular test allows us to detect a virus that can only origin us to be ill," she pointed out. She encouraged women to execute investigation at 2.7 1000 gynaecological clinics that have a contract with NFZ.
Experts stressed that molecular investigating and fluid cytology are costly diagnostics available previously only on the private market. For a year in the prevention program will be available alongside these studies besides classical cytology, and a female will be able to choose the kind of study.
dr hab. n. med. Andrzej Nowakowski pointed out that the molecular test has nearly twice the ability to detect precancerous cervical lesions than conventional cytology. "It allows to double the detection of precancerous conditions and cervical cancer," Nowakowski added. He explained that in the preventive program, in the case of a affirmative molecular test result, a cytological examination on a liquid substrate is performed, which assesses the hazard of precancerous lesions on the cervix.
Director of the National Institute of Oncology-PIB Dr. hab. n. med. Beata Jagielska noted that vaccination against HPV and molecular diagnostics could origin cervical cancer to be overcome. "We will no longer talk about cancer, but we will talk about detecting early changes that will be treated... as is the case in the Nordic countries. We are on a very good path," Jagielska added. She noted that 1.8,000 women die of cervical cancer all year.
The figures show that the molecular test is effective in detecting precancer cervix lesions. The molecular test sensitivity is 95%, while the sensitivity of conventional cytology oscillates between 50-60%. The molecular test detects among others the most oncogenic HPV genotypes.
The prevention program financed by the NFZ is available in 2.7 1000 gynaecological clinics in Poland. Women can choose the kind of study, including molecular investigating and fluid cytology. Experts encourage women to execute tests to detect precancerous cervical lesions and avoid cancer. Molecular diagnosis is simply a step towards defeating cervical cancer.
Read more:
New direction in the prevention of cervical cancer
