Ireland will pioneer human papillomavirus testing with cervical screening in a bid to help stop women dying from cancer of the cervix.
The new method will begin on March 30 and will automatically check for the virus when women have their examination as normal.
Dublin Well Woman Centre’s Dr Shirley McQuade told Dublin Live: “With the new test we are looking for HPV which is the virus that can cause cell change that could potentially lead to cancer.
"Before we were looking for cell changes in the cervix. If the test finds HPV, the sample will be looked at to see if it caused any cell changes to happen.”
Dr McQuade said women should not be alarmed if they test positive for HPV.
She said: “It can be sitting on the surface of the cell and not actually cause any damage. Most women and men who have been sexually active will have acquired HPV and for most their immune system will clear it.
“Those that have been vaccinated against HPV are in the best position so their chances of acquiring HPV is less.
“If somebody is HPV positive then doctors will look to see if cell changes are actually happening.
“If this is the case, the woman will be sent for a colposcopy and a biopsy will determine the next steps. If you are HPV negative, you can safely wait to be retested again in five years.
"From research we know there is a long interval between having minor cell changes and those progressing to anything close to cancer change.”
Dr McQuade urged anyone with a HPV positive test to consider some key lifestyle changes.
She said: “Particularly smoking is something that does interfere with the immune system and impairs the chances of someone clearing the virus.
“If you go into a colposcopy clinic there is a higher rate of smokers in the clinic than the general population.”
