1. HPV testing for cervical cancer screening in Croatia
- Author
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Magdalena Grce, Grahovac, B., Rukavina, T., Vrdoljakmozetič, D., Glavaš-Obrovac, L., Kaliterna, V., and Žele-Starčević, L.
- Subjects
BIOMEDICINA I ZDRAVSTVO. Kliničke medicinske znanosti. Klinička citologija ,Vaginal Smears ,screening programme ,Quality Assurance, Health Care ,quality assessment ,Croatia ,BIOMEDICINA I ZDRAVSTVO. Kliničke medicinske znanosti. Ginekologija i opstetricija ,Papillomavirus Infections ,BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE. Clinical Medical Sciences. Gynecology and Obstetrics ,Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ,BIOMEDICINA I ZDRAVSTVO. Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita. Javno zdravstvo ,Cervical cancer ,human papillomavirus testing ,Humans ,Mass Screening ,Female ,BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE. Clinical Medical Sciences. Clinical Cytology ,cervical cancer ,BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE. Public Health and Health Care. Public Health ,Papanicolaou Test - Abstract
Opportunistic screening based on the Pap smear has been undertaken in Croatia since 1953. However, cervical cancer remains an important health problem in Croatia when compared to European countries with organised screening programmes. In Croatia, in addition to screening based on well established cytology, Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is widely used as secondary test as a triage to borderline cytology and as a follow-up after treatment of severe cervical lesions. Many different approaches for HPV testing arose in Croatia over the last decade depending on the needs of each medical institution involved. Presently, there is an urgent need for better networking between the laboratories, the implementation of quality assessment and the adaptation of a uniform system of referring to and reporting of HPV testing. In conclusion, the best possible organisation for HPV testing would be essential for implementation of HPV testing as primary screening test in Croatia, an thus ultimately and hopefully, the more successful cervical cancer control.