Roche- a Swiss multinational healthcare company, has launched HPV self-sampling solutions to identify the risks of developing cervix cancer in women. Cervix cancer is hard to diagnose as it does not show symptoms at its early stages. Cultural influences, experience, and limited access to testing are the potential factors for women not participating in cervix cancer screening.
Roche highlighted that women in middle- and low-income countries have advanced and severe stages of cervix cancer because they lack proper screening facilities. The company has developed a self-sampling HPV testing solution to provide women with the best alternative to invasive and time-consuming clinical procedures.
According to Cervix Cancer Statistics, 604,127 women worldwide were diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer in 2020. In the past few years, the incidence rates of cervix cancer have reduced by 50% due to increased screening options. People between 60 and 65 have a higher chance of developing cervix cancer because they don’t receive regular screenings.
HPV self-sampling solutions have high specificity and sensitivity, similar to that HPV testing conducted by a healthcare provider. These HPV self-sampling solutions enable women to obtain a kit, collect their samples from the vagina and send them to the laboratory. HPV self-sampling kits come up with a soft brush and swab to help you collect samples from your vagina. Like usual screening tests, you will get detailed results from the laboratory within 1-3 days.
Women with HPV in their self-sampling tests will be asked to receive a standard cervical screening test taken by a healthcare provider. It is estimated that only a small number of women (only 13%) have to complete the cervix screening test after self-sampling results.
The Need for HPV Self-Sampling Solution
More than 13,000 females are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in the U.S., and about 342,000 people die from this cancer worldwide, even though cervical cancer is one of the preventable cancers today.
HPV (human papillomavirus) has become a leading cause of genital warts and growth in both sexes. Specific types of high-risk HPV infection, such as types 6, 11, and 18, are also responsible for cancer in the anus and penile cancer.
HPV types 16 and 18 are sporadic, especially in women and men with a strong immune system, but they can cause genital cancers. A recent report by the American Cancer Society reveals that about 3,150 men in the United States are diagnosed with anal cancer, and more than 2,070 have the symptoms of cancer of the penis.
Moreover, bisexual men and sexually active gay men have a 17 times higher risk of developing anal cancer than men who have sex only with females. Women with HPV and HIV (human immunodeficiency) also have a higher risk of experiencing cervical cancer. Some types of HPV cause only mild symptoms, while others may trigger the development of the following cancers;
- HPV infection is responsible for about 90% of the anal cancer cases
- HPV is responsible for 60% of the penis cancers
- 70% of the people with HPV might develop oropharyngeal cancer (cancer of the back of the throat)
- HPV (human papillomavirus) Infection and Cervical Cancer
The oncogenic HPV types do not allow the body’s immune system to eliminate an HPV virus. HPV infections linger over time and turn normal cells into damaged and abnormal ones, increasing the risks of cancerous infections. Studies reveal that more than 10% of the women with HPV (human papillomavirus) on their cervix are more likely to develop long-lasting HPV infections that can higher the risk of developing cervix cancer. While there is no cure, there are high quality HPV supplements and life style changes that can be made to improve your immune system.
The Bottom Line
HPV self-sampling solutions are imposed to avoid cervix cancer complications. In developing countries, women have numerous barriers to receiving the proper screening for cervix cancer. The women carry the heavy burdens of cervix cancer, and the unavailability of appropriate treatment options is their greatest hurdle. HPV self-sampling solutions enable women to break down these barriers and collect samples from their vaginal samples. These solutions aim to prevalence cervix cancer screening on a wider scale.
