Too many women get HPV tests, study says

Seeded on Mon Jul 4, 2011 9:09 PM EDT (msnbc.com)

— Filed under: health

When in doubt, the doctor will order the test -- no risk of malpractice that way, and possible revenue. Unless insurers refuse to pay for them when they're contrary to the guidelines, nothing is likely to change. And if the insurers do refuse to pay, there will be a hue and cry about jeopardizing women's health. (Look what happened with the advice on mammograms for young low-risk women.) On top of that, I'd be willing to bet that the marketing representatives never say "order fewer of these."

1 vote

#1 - Mon Jul 4, 2011 9:18 PM EDT

Mike-588190

Without the test for the women, there is nothing a man can do to insure HIS health. There is no HPV test for men, so the only thing that can give us some reassurance is a negative test result from our partner. Who would want to be potentially exposed to genital warts? Futhermore, I've read that men may be suffering higher incidences of throat cancer when exposed to a woman's HPV infection when he performs oral sex on her. I'd say an HPV test would be recommended for the same reasons/frequency as you would take an HIV test.

#2 - Mon Jul 4, 2011 10:35 PM EDT

AllieB-3301878

You're thinking of two different types of HPV, though. High-risk HPV doesn't generally affect men in any way (this is the one that causes cervical cancer in women). There have been a few cases of penile cancer that could possibly be linked to the high-risk strands, but it's not really known for sure. Low-risk HPV can affect men and men can be tested for this type. In 80% of people, though, your body would clear the virus before it would ever be detected through testing.

#2.1 - Wed Jul 6, 2011 7:48 AM EDT

rockmebritney

the bottom line is... we really dont know anything about HPV. Until we do, theres no reason to say whats good, bad, or ugly in regards to testing and treatment.

1 vote

#3 - Tue Jul 5, 2011 12:11 AM EDT

Oral Health Care Literacy Advocate

This is interesting to know based on the rise in oral sex and cancer.

#4 - Tue Jul 5, 2011 12:49 PM EDT

AllieB-3301878

My gynecologist tests for this every year, whether you like it or not. I think it absolutely makes sense for younger women, but for a 50-year-old who's been married to the same man for 30 years? I guess in the days of cheating it's necessary, but just seems like a waste of money.

#5 - Wed Jul 6, 2011 7:45 AM EDT

tngal-2476399

You'd be surprised how many women test positive years after exposure....or at least that's what they'd have us believe.

1. We have lots of "older" married women who suddenly test positive.

2. They have either had a new exposure OR they have had a dormant strain

3. Either way, we only screen the first time we see a patient and then only again if the PAP is abnormal.

4. Let me re-iterate.....the strains of Low Risk that affect men, are responsible for warts....not cancer. Hence, the name "Low-Risk"

#5.1 - Wed Jul 6, 2011 1:23 PM EDT

Discuss this post