What is the HPV Virus?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common group of viruses, with over 100 different types. About 30 of these types infect the human genital area1.
| High-risk HPV: Approximately 17 types are classified as high-risk (most commonly types 16 and 18). They are the primary cause of cervical cancer. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV can lead to abnormal cervical cells, which may develop into cancer. |
| Low-risk HPV: Mainly causes genital warts (commonly known as cauliflower-like warts) but does not develop into cancer. |
Important Facts: HPV infection is extremely common; up to 80% of sexually active men and women will be infected at some point in their lives2. Usually, the infection clears on its own within a short period. However, persistent infection with high-risk HPV can lead to pre-cancerous lesions and cancer. The medical community has confirmed that the vast majority of cervical cancer cases (90-91%) are caused by persistent HPV infection. Compared to low-risk HPV, persistent infection with high-risk HPV increases the chance of developing cervical cancer by at least 30 times3. Therefore, understanding the carcinogenic causes is essential for preventing cervical cancer.
Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer?4
| Persistent infection with high-risk HPV: This is the most significant risk factor |
| Early sexual activity: The younger the age at first sexual intercourse, the higher the relative chance of HPV infection |
| Multiple sexual partners: Having more sexual partners increases the chance of infection with high-risk HPV |
| Weakened immune system: For example, individuals with HIV or those taking anti-rejection medication after organ transplants find it harder for their immune to clear HPV |
| Smoking: Smoking weakens local immunity, increasing the risk of persistent infection and cancerous changes |
| Long-term use of oral contraceptives: Long-term use may slightly increase the risk |
| Multiple pregnancies: Women who have given birth to many children may have a higher risk |
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?5
Early-stage cervical cancer or pre-cancerous lesions often have no obvious symptoms, making regular testing crucial
When the condition progresses to mid or late stages, the following symptoms may occur:
| Abnormal vaginal bleeding: For example, bleeding between periods, after sexual intercourse, or after menopause |
| Abnormal vaginal discharge: Changes in the color, odor, or texture of discharge, which may be bloody or foul-smelling |
| Pelvic pain or pain during sexual intercourse |
| If the cancer has spread, symptoms like back pain, leg swelling, or difficulty urinating may occur |
Note: Experiencing these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have cancer, but you must seek medical attention immediately to determine the cause.
Testing Methods: Traditional Pap Smear vs. HPV Virus DNA Urine Test
| Testing Item | HPV Virus DNA Urine Test (PanHPV DNA Urine Test) | Traditional Pap Smear Test (Pap Smear) |
|---|---|---|
| Sampling Method | Non-invasive: Only requires collecting first-void urine | Invasive: Uses a brush or spatula to scrape cell samples from the cervix |
| Testing Target | Directly tests for the presence of high-risk HPV virus DNA (the root cause of cancer) and low-risk HPV (mainly causing genital warts) in the urine | Primarily detects abnormal cervical cells |
| Advantages |
|
|
| Suitable For | Especially suitable for those afraid of internal examination, busy with work, or preferring a more private method for preliminary screening. Both men and women | Suitable for all sexually experienced women as a routine check-up. For women only |
Why Choose This Test?
Ultimate Privacy and Dignity
| Completely avoids the physical and psychological discomfort of internal examinations, protecting personal privacy |
Painless, Non-invasive, Safe & Simple
| The entire process is painless, very suitable for women who fear internal examinations |
Unprecedented Convenience
| Self-sampling completed in just ten minutes, easily integrated into a busy life |
Scientific Accuracy, Prevention is Key
| Uses PCR molecular testing technology to directly detect the DNA of the cancer-causing virus, allowing for early risk detection before cell changes occur, seizing the best opportunity for prevention |
Testing Capability
Testing Technology
| Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real-time PCR) technology |
Detection Typing
| Can detect a total of 24 HPV virus types (including high-risk types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58, 35, 39, 51, 53, 56, 59, 66, 68, 73, 82 and low-risk types 6, 11, 26, 42, 43, 44, and 81) |
Accuracy
| Clinical studies show that the test's overall sensitivity and specificity both exceed 90%, making it a highly effective primary screening tool |
Test Details
| Code | Testing Method | Sample Requirement | Turnaround Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| IHU | Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real-time PCR) Technology | 20ml using the DiagCor Urine Self-Collection Kit* | 2 working days |
*Click here to watch the Pangenia PanHPV / PanSTD Urine Sample Collection Tutorial
Sample Requirements and Handling Instructions
| Type | Pre-sampling Preparation | Sampling Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Urine | It is recommended that the patient does not urinate for at least two hours prior to sample collection | Collect 20 ml of first-void urine using the DiagCor Urine Self-Collection Kit |
References
- 1 https://www.hksccp.org.hk/index2.php?title=3&page=1#q7
- 2 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papillomavirus-(hpv)-and-cervical-cancer
- 3 http://globocan.iarc.fr/old/FactSheets/cancers/cervix-new.asp
- 4 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/cervical-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
- 5 https://www.cancercarers.org.hk/%E7%99%8C%E7%97%87%E7%A8%AE%E9%A1%9E/%E5%AD%90%E5%AE%AE%E9%A0%B8%E7%99%8C