A recent study organized by the Medical Research Council, UK, proposes that the risk for cervical cancer cannot be accurately assessed by testing for the human papilloma virus (HPV).

Moreover, doctors opine that a positive result of an HPV test cannot precisely anticipate which patient would require an urgent follow-up.

This study may cause trepidation and disappointment to millions of women who undergo cervical screening tests as part of the national program in the United Kingdom.

However, the NHS is chalking out plans to incorporate additional tests for HPV at several centers in UK.

Dr Maggie Cruickshank, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Aberdeen, who led the study says, while the test may not provide an accurate prediction it is considered a useful tool in identifying women at risk of developing cervical cancer. She says, "In women over 40, HPV testing might be useful for ruling out further investigations".

However, there are some who contradict these findings. Professor Jack Cuzick, an epidemiologist for Cancer Research UK, opines that HPV testing is good at identifying anomalies in women with low-grade tests and can lessen the number of those who need to be referred for treatment.