Catalonia incorporates HPV detection in cervical cancer prevention protocol

Catalonia’s health department has announced that by next year they will incorporate an HPV-detection test in cervical cancer prevention protocol.  

This change comes after almost 3,000 women participated in a pilot project which allowed them to pick up an HPV self-test kit from pharmacies. 

The goal is now to encourage all women aged between 30 to 65 years to participate in mass screenings for the HPV virus starting next year. 

"International scientific studies have shown that offering self-tests increases the uptake of the tests. Having to go to a medical center is more cumbersome," said David Frigola, a health department official. 

Reaching more people 

Minister of Health Manel Balcells says this is a substantial change in the strategy to prevent cervical cancer. This way, authorities can reach more people, aligning their strategy with other European countries to achieve the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target of eliminating cervical cancer.  

The test will be available in pharmacies and can be done at home. Samples can be returned to the pharmacy for analysis, making it easier in comparison to having to go through a health center.  

This would also increase the level of participation, according to health official David Frigola. 

HPV virus

The HPV virus is the primary cause of cervical cancer and is a common sexually transmitted infection.

About 90% of people infected by the HPV virus will not have any symptoms and their immune system will naturally fight the infection. Having HPV does not necessarily mean you also have cancer but it’s important to detect it early on to avoid untreated HPV cells developing into cancer.