MNN - Mother Nature Network

test. Most women are HPV- and cannot benefit from pap testing. The Dutch are also using a long overdue self test HPV device. Population pap testing condemns most women to a lifetime of unnecessary pap testing with the high risk of false positives and potentially harmful over-treatment. Excessive and early pap testing greatly increases the risks for no additional benefit. Over-treatment can damage the cervix and lead to infertility, miscarriages, premature babies, c-sections etc The Finns have a 7 pap test program as well, 5 yearly from 30 to 60, and it's been in place since the 1960s, so this is not new evidence. Over-screening has caused enormous harm and worry, most of it was avoidable with testing in responsible hands. The lack of respect for informed consent and even consent (medical coercion, testing is "required" to get the Pill etc) should be a scandal. All cancer screening is elective, it can never be "required" for anything. Yet women have been denied their legal right to make an informed decision about testing. Informed consent is our legal right. Women should demand real information, respect for informed consent, including the right to decline testing and for access to smarter testing. (HPV primary testing and self-testing) As a low risk woman my risk of cc was near zero, the risks were too high for me and I have always declined testing. HPV Today, Edition 24, sets out the new Dutch program.