About HPV Test

The human papillomavirus (HPV) test detects the presence of human papillomavirus, a virus that can lead to the development of genital warts, abnormal cervical cells or cervical cancer. These tests are recommended for screening only in women aged 30 years and older. They are not recommended to screen men, adolescents, or women under the age of 30 years. HPV tests will be carried out on samples from women whose screening result shows mild abnormalities called borderline or mild dyskaryosis. Women who test positive for high risk types of HPV are referred for a colposcopy straight away. In women who test negative for HPV, the cell changes are likely to go back to normal on their own so they do not need treatment. A positive HPV test means that a woman has HPV on her cervix. This does not mean that she has or will get cervical cancer. But it could mean that you have a higher chance of developing cell changes, which could lead to cervical cancer over time.