MEPs back virus test to combat cervical cancer

Date: 17/05/01

By Laurence Frost

EURO MPs are calling on Health Commissioner David Byrne to promote new cervical cancer tests which they say could save the lives of thousands of women every year.

Dutch centre-right MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijten is spearheading the initiative to raise awareness of inaccuracies in the conventional 'PAP' smear tests, used by most European hospitals.

At a seminar next month, the vice-chair of the European Parliament's health committee will ask the European Commission to encourage the use of modern tests that give early warning of cervical cancer by detecting the HPV virus linked to the condition, rather than the cancer itself.

Cancer is a priority in the EU's health action plan, which is now approaching its second reading in Parliament.

"There are effective screening programmes across Europe, but health authorities still rely on the PAP smears," said Oomen-Ruijten. She said the seminar would show that HPV testing "not only saves lives, it also saves money for the insurance system".

An audit of cervical screening carried out in Leicester, UK, revealed that 14 women had died and 64 had required hysterectomies or other treatment as a result of incorrect smear diagnoses over seven years. The UK government's cancer 'czar' Mike Richards warned that subsequent studies could reveal similar findings in other regions.

Euro MPs are calling on Health Commissioner, David Byrne, to promote new cervical cancer tests which they say could save the lives of thousands of women every year.