Cervical screening and human papillomavirus.
BACKGROUND
Cervical screening in Australia has been successful in reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection and an integral agent in the development of cervical cancer.


OBJECTIVE
This article discusses cervical screening, HPV infection and counselling women with low grade abnormalities on cervical cytology.


CONCLUSIONS
For most women, detectable HPV infection is transient and subclinical. While HPV is a precursor to cervical cancer, this is a rare outcome of HPV infection. Minor abnormalities on cervical cytology reflecting acute HPV infection are common. Women with low grade Pap test abnormalities require reassurance and education about the prevalence and natural history of HPV.
Scone, New South Wales, Australia. bsheary@sconemedical.com
Belinda
B
Sheary
Linda
L
Dayan
D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology*