Cervical Cancer Screening: Difference Between An HPV Test & A PAP Test

Regular cervical screening is believed to be helpful in the prevention of cervical cancer. However, it is quite normal for many women to be confused between an HPV test and a PAP test. An HPV test is done to detect the presence of a HPV infection (spread from both high-risk as well as low-risk HPV genotypes). Meanwhile, a PAP test looks for abnormal cervical cell growth (precancerous cells—cells that may develop into cervical cancer).¹ The main difference between HPV & PAP test is that both may look for contrasting “warning signs'' of cervical cancer. In this blog, we’ll discuss these tests. But first, let’s learn about cervical screening.

What Is Cervical Cancer Screening?

Cervical screening is a test that determines whether a patient has malignant (cancerous) cervical cells or not. It is not used to diagnose cervical cancer, but rather to help prevent it.² In other words the purpose of a screening test is to find the potential disease even before its symptoms start to show.³ 

The process of cervical screening involves looking for any abnormal cell growth at the cervix. The lowermost portion of the uterus, the cervix, further opens in the vagina.⁴ And as part of a routine checkup, women are often advised to undergo cervical screening tests to avoid contracting high-risk HPV (or cancers). Cervical screening is divided into two types: HPV and PAP test.⁵ 

HPV Test

Human Papillomavirus or HPV is amongst the most common STDs worldwide.⁶ Although HPV affects both men and women, it’s proven to be a leading cause of cervical cancer in females.⁵ HPVs are further divided into 2 categories- 

i. Low Risk HPVs: These viruses are generally responsible for warts that generally develop around genitals and anus. However, a low risk HPV infection could also give rise to warts on arms, legs, hands, feet, etc. These warts, alongwith the infection, tend to wane on their own without being a health threat.⁶ 

ii. High Risk HPVs: In most cases, the high-risk HPVs go away within a couple of years, that too without any symptoms. But if an HPV infection persists, it can potentially lead to cervical cancer. High risk HPVs can also trigger the development of anal, vaginal, mouth and throat cancer.⁶ 

An HPV test protects you from the spread of potentially fatal high-risk HPV infections. To check for low-risk HPV, you can simply examine your skin for warts. However, for detecting high-risk HPV genotypes, you may need to consult a doctor or simply order LifeCell's at-home self-collection HPV test kit. This test kit is convenient to use and checks for 24 high-risk HPVs. Amongst these, 3 are major high risk HPVs (HPV-16, HPV-18 & HPV-45) and remaining 21 are other high-risk HPVs. If undetected, these HPVs can potentially develop into cervical cancer. 

HPV Test Results: What To Expect?

Mentioned below are the result scenarios and what they could mean-⁷

• A negative test result depicts the absence of high risk HPV. Sometimes, doctors may ask the patient to get a re-test. However, it is advisable to take the HPV test at a 5-year interval.⁷ 
• A positive test result confirms presence of high risk HPV. Though it may not necessarily indicate that the individual has cervical cancer, it surely increases the risk.⁶ Upon receiving a positive test result, the doctor may ask for follow-up tests.⁷ 

PAP Test

A Pap test helps detect the presence of abnormal cells that can cause cervical cancer. Pap tests are usually done by a doctor or clinician, where they collect cells from the cervix and send them to a lab.⁷ 

Pap Test Results: What To Expect?

• A normal Pap test result means that the patient has no abnormal cells.⁷
• An abnormal Pap test result indicates presence of abnormal cells in the cervix. However, mere presence of abnormal cells does not confirm cervical cancer. Therefore, the doctor may recommend follow-up tests, monitoring and treatment.
• An unsatisfactory Pap test result indicate that there weren't enough cervical cells in the sample or smear to identify an anomaly.

The only difference between HPV  & PAP test is that one determines the presence of high risk HPV infection while the latter simply detects abnormal cervical cells. Even though they go by different names and have distinct procedures, their goal is the same- preventive care from HPV strains that can cause cervical cancer.