World Cancer Day
4 February 2021

CERVICAL CANCER SPOTLIGHT

Early detection of cancer-causing viruses

Every two minutes, a woman dies from cervical cancer, and without intervention, this number is expected to increase to 460,000 deaths per year by 2040.

Up to 80% of cervical cancers can be prevented with early detection and intervention. Regular screening has played an important role in the prevention of cervical cancer along with the availability of a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

There are twelve HPV types that are classified as oncogenic (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59) according to the World Health Organization. HPV 16 and HPV 18 are considered high-risk types and many commercial molecular-based diagnostics assays require the separate identification of these genes.

​Multiplex tandem PCR, or MT-PCR provides the ability to test for a wide range of targets simultaneously. This translates to the detection of multiple high-risk genes within 3.5 hrs. Clinically, the more rapid and comprehensive diagnostic information enables better patient outcomes.
Learn more about molecular diagnostics panels to detect high-risk oncovirus genes

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References

World Cancer Day 2021: Cervical Cancer Elimination: An Information Guide. https://www.worldcancerday.org/eliminate. Accessed 02/02/2021.

Hawkes D. Human papillomavirus testing as part of the renewed National Cervical Screening Program. AJGP. 2018: 47(7)