UMMC research leads to updated HPV clinical guidelines

Cancer research turns discovery into better care. At the University of Mississippi Medical Center, research on HPV genotypes has helped change cervical cancer management guidelines, improving patient care both locally and nationwide. 

“That’s the holy grail of translational research,” said Dr. Carolann Risley, professor of nursing and a researcher at the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute. “To see something going from bedside to bench and back to bedside is amazing. This shows how UMMC is leading the way in cervical cancer research.” 
 
The STRIDES research, a collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, contributed to updated national clinical guidelines from the ASCCP (American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology). The new guidelines, titled Applying Results of Extended Genotyping to Management of Positive Cervicovaginal Human Papillomavirus Test Results: Enduring Guidelines - PubMed, resulted in the adoption of new technology to detect an extended amount of HPV genotypes found through cancer screening testing. Knowing the type of HPV can pinpoint the presence of the strain for diagnosis and management. UMMC, the Mississippi State Department of Health, and the National Cancer Institute were partners in the study. 
 
Most HPV infections go away by themselves, but some can cause cervical cancer as well as oropharyngeal cancer, among other types. Each year, HPV infections cause about 36,000 cases of cancer in both men and women. 
 
HPV genotypes refer to the specific strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV. HPV has more than 200 genotypes, each numbered and classified as either high-risk or low-risk for its cancer-causing potential. The most notable high-risk genotypes are HPV 16 and HPV 18, which are responsible for most cervical cancer cases and are among the genotypes that the HPV vaccine protects against. Other high-risk types include HPV 35, which is not included in vaccinations.  
 
HPV vaccine manufacturer Merck has announced it is researching an increase in the number of HPV genotypes covered by the vaccine, prompted by the research findings. 
 
Mississippi has an HPV-related cancer rate that is among the worst in the country. Its cervical cancer mortality rate is 3.6 per 100,000 people, while the national rate is 2.2. The state has the nation’s lowest HPV vaccination rate, with 30.5% of Mississippi children up to date on their HPV vaccinations. 
 
“No screening test for cancer is 100% perfect but still works very well,” Risley said. “Many cancers can be caught early with screening tests, and lives will be saved.” 
 
Screening for HPV, which can now be done at home by a self-administered test, combined with HPV vaccination, which protects against 70% to 90% of HPV infections, can greatly reduce the risk of cervical cancer. 

Bethany Sabins, a nurse practitioner in gynecological oncology, said regular cervical cancer screening is one of the most effective tools for early detection and prevention. 
 
“I see every day how powerful prevention can be,” she said. “Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers we can largely prevent — through regular screening and HPV vaccination. A simple screening test can find changes before they become cancer, and a safe, effective HPV vaccine can protect against the virus that causes most cervical cancers. Getting screened on time and vaccinating according to guidelines isn’t just a medical recommendation — it’s an act of love for yourself and the people who care about you. Your health matters, and early prevention saves lives. Just as the campaign by the American Cancer Society says, ‘If you love someone, get screened.’” 
 
While the average age for cervical cancer diagnosis is 50, the American Cancer Society notes that 20% of cervical cancer cases occur in women older than 65. 
 
“The older population is at risk of cervical cancer because they may not realize they need to continue screening for cervical cancer and they have not been vaccinated for HPV or do not have easy access to care” Risley said. “The hope is that HPV information and self-testing will give women the knowledge and tools they need to take charge of their health. You don’t know unless you test; it’s that simple.”