False positive cervical HPV screening test results

Abstract

In cervical cancer screening, HPV testing is best at reassuring women when they are negative, but proper management of HPV positives is still evolving. Most HPV infections are benign, and over-reacting clinically to HPV positivity can cause psychological and possible iatrogenic physical (e.g., obstetrical) harm. We describe the built-in false positives in current tests, and the real harm that can result when the meaning of such false positive HPV tests is misunderstood. We suggest steps that could reduce harm being done by flawed tests and excessive clinical responses to positive HPV testing. We focus the discussion by presenting an illustrative case.