New Genetic Test Could Help Doctors Identify Cervical Cancer Risks
NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR: Researchers with the National Cancer Institute say a new genetic test could send a red flag to doctors that a patient may be at risk for cervical cancer. CNN medical correspondent Eileen O'Connor looks at the test and how it could help patients make better health care decisions.</s>EILEEN O'CONNOR, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A genetic test for a virus that has shown a strong link to cervical cancer is a valid tool for women and their doctors, according to a new study by the National Institutes of Health. The test was developed by sequencing the DNA of the human papilloma virus, a virus that is present in over 99 percent of all cervical cancers. Once a woman has an abnormal Pap smear, her doctor can now screen for HPV using this test.</s>DR. DIANE MCGRORY, DEDHAM MEDICAL ASSOCIATES: The Pap smear looked for abnormal cells. This test actually looks for the virus.</s>O'CONNOR: Dr. Diane McGrory says not only will the test tell whether HPV is present, but whether it is a strain that is more or less likely to cause cancer, giving the patient and her doctor more information to go on.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... indicated by high-risk positive or negative.</s>MCGRORY: I find it really relieves anxiety if they find out they're negative for the high-risk virus. And if they're positive for the high-risk virus, it gives them an understanding about what's wrong with them, and then they get treatment.</s>BARBARA MCGUIRE-BRODERICK: Bye, Chris. Have a good weekend.</s>O'CONNOR: Barbara McGuire-Broderick, a school principal, knows the agony of waiting, something she's had to do several times after an abnormal Pap smear.</s>MCGUIRE-BRODERICK: Here at work people notice that there's that anxiety level that really goes up the more days that you have to wait and wonder. That will be happening next week.</s>O'CONNOR: She says she hopes the results of this new study mean more women will have this test.</s>MCGUIRE-BRODERICK: I have more information to work with my physician so that she can help me make better decisions about my health care.</s>O'CONNOR (on camera): Still, doctors say the most important aspect of screening for cervical cancer is that women have to come in and have a Pap smear test done in the first place. Not everyone does. And of those who do, only 50 percent have them often enough. Eileen O'Connor, CNN, Washington.