Case report

HPV Testing for Cervical Cancer Screening in Croatia

Magdalena Grce
Blaženka Grahovac
Tomislav Rukavina
Danijela Vrdoljak-Mozetič
Ljubica Glavaš-Obrovac
Vanja Kaliterna
Lidija Žele-Starčević

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.

Keywords

Cervical cancer; human papillomavirus testing; screening programme; quality assessment

Hrčak ID:

27447

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/27447

Publication date:

13.4.2007.

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