An online study published in the journal of the National Cancer Institute shows that screening tests for the human papillomavirus or HPV is a far better indicator of whether or not a woman might develop cervical cancer.

A woman that tests negative for HPV has an extremely low chance of getting the disease.

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One million women took part in the study. Women in the group were divided into three categories: those who tested HPV-negative, Pap-negative and those negative in both tests.

HPV tests detect the virus in the cells of the cervix. Pap tests check for abnormal cell changes associated with the development of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer risk estimates among women are based on 2012 guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The task force called for women between the ages of 30 to 65 to get Pap tests every three years and co-testing with the HPV test every five years.

Researchers discovered that the risk of developing cervical cancer three years after a negative HPV test was cut further by half compared to the risk after a Pap test.

The study found that primary HPV testing every three years "might provide as much, if not more, reassurance against pre-cancer and cancer, compared to primary Pap testing every 3 years and co-testing every five years."

It is estimated that 11 in 100,000 women will probably develop cervical cancer three years after a negative HPV test.

On the other hand, 20 out of 100,000 women with a negative Pap test and 14 out of 100,000 women who took both tests still developed cervical cancer.

Further studies are being done to determine the best screening strategy and interval.

In 2014 alone, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 12,360 new cases of invasive cervical cancer in the United States and that 4,020 women will die from the disease. 

Tagscervical cancer, HPV, human papillomavirus, cervix, pap smear, pap test, Cancer, National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, cancer in women, women's cancer