HPV testing ‘could eliminate cervical cancer’

It is possible to eliminate cervical cancer in Irish women within a generation with HPV testing and vaccination, the Irish Cancer Society has said.

The current smear test detects abnormal cells that may develop into cancer if left untreated. HPV testing is used to examine the presence of the virus.

The Irish Cancer Society, together with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, held an event in Dublin yesterday in a bid to restore confidence following the CervicalCheck controversy.