Press Release
19th January 2009
BIVDA Supports Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
18-24 January 2009
The British In Vitro Diagnostic Association (BIVDA) is pleased to support Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and improvements in quality and access to cervical cancer tests and screening for women in the UK.
In vitro diagnostic (IVDs) tests play a key role in the prevention, early detection, screening and treatment of cervical cancer. The major cause of cervical cancer is infection with a high-risk form of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a common infection in sexually active men and women. BIVDA supports the call for women to be made more aware of the symptoms of cervical cancer and the importance of access to tests in the UK through the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.
BIVDA members in the sector are committed to the development of screening tests of the highest quality, ensuring that women have access to the most reliable, accurate and efficient tests for the early detection and screening of cervical cancer. There have been recent innovations by the in vitro diagnostics industry to assist the conventional Pap smear, such as Liquid Based Cytology for the detection of cervical abnormalities, which is now used routinely, and improvements in the use of HPV DNA testing.
Recent research has indicated that a blood test using molecular diagnostic technology could further improve cervical cancer screening, and potentially supersede the smear test in the future.
Such improvements have meant that women are given more reliable and accurate tests. This reduces the number of invasive tests required and, importantly, also reduces anxiety, uncertainty and the need for repeat smears for patients. This has substantial benefits for improving the quality of care for women, but it also allows diagnostics to bring clinical and cost utility advantages to the tackling and management of cervical cancer. This saves the NHS Cervical Screening Programme money as there are fewer ineffective tests, a reduced need to re-test patients, and quicker laboratory results.
Director-General of BIVDA, Doris-Ann Williams, said:
“BIVDA welcomes Cervical Cancer Prevention Week as it is crucial that women are aware of HPV and cervical cancer and the tests available to them to ensure as early diagnosis as possible. The IVD sector in the UK has contributed significantly to improving screening for cervical cancer. Recent innovations such as the now routinely used Liquid Based Cytology in clinical care has aided the early diagnosis and quality of care received by women in screening programs in the UK. Ongoing developments will see even further improvements for patients and the service into the future. ”
-ENDS-
Notes to editors
- The British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA) works to raise awareness of the clinical and cost utility of in vitro diagnostics in the provision of effective healthcare in the UK. The membership of BIVDA currently represents over 95% of the industry with more than 100 member companies. Membership includes UK subsidiaries of multinationals, UK SMEs and a number of start-up companies. BIVDA members supply diagnostic tools to the NHS for a range of disease areas, including diabetes and cancer.
- For further information, please contact Chris Gatenby on 020 3128 8108
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