HPV re-activation in older women: an increased cancer risk unrelated to sexual behaviour?

Older women who have had ≥5 lifetime sexual partners could turn out to be a relatively high-risk group for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and associated cervical lesions – regardless of declining sexual activity.  If – that is – Gravitt, Viscidi et al. (http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/207/2/272.full.pdf+html?sid=4bc8141c-9b7c-4a13-8a43-451d6fa85fcf; http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/207/2/211.full.pdf+html?sid=4bc8141c-9b7c-4a13-8a43-451d6fa85fcf) are correct to see the results of their cohort study of […]

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Widespread abuses of HPV testing in the US?

The US-based journal Obstetrics and Gynecology carries a front-page editorial: “Abuses in Human Papillomavirus DNA Testing”. A study featuring in July’s issue based on a survey of nationally representative samples of smear-test (pap test) providers reports widespread overuse of HPV testing in the context of routine smear tests. The editorial dramatically concludes that this “seriously […]

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