Cervical human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA primary screening test: Results of a population-based screening programme in central Italy:

ObjectiveTo present the results of the first and second round human papilloma virus (HPV)-based screening programme in the Umbria region after three years.MethodsFrom August 2010 to November 2011, the entire female population aged 35–64 in a local health district was invited for HPV testing (HPV-DNA cobas4800 on a liquid-based cytology sample). HPV-negative women were re-invited after three years. For HPV-positive women, a slide was prepared and interpreted. Positive cytologies were referred to colposcopy; negatives were referred to repeat HPV after one year. If HPV was persistently positive, women were referred to colposcopy; if negative, to normal screening. Indicators of the first and second round are compared with those of cytology screening in the same area in the preceding three years.ResultsParticipation was 56.5%, the same as cytology (56.6%). HPV-positivity was 6.4% (396/6272), cytology triage positivity was 35.6%; 251 cytology negative women were referred to one-year HPV retesting, 84.1% complie...