Tampap

Date   07 June 2007

Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia and its member organisations have expressed concern about the new Tam Pap test. There is no real benefit for women doing this test.

It is concerning that Tam Pap users will find out their results by mail. A positive result may cause considerable distress for a woman when receiving the results directly from a pathology company. There could be negative consequences for some women learning they have the virus in this manner without a clinician present to explain and reassure about the meaning of the result.

Many women will have HPV at some time in their lives and, as it may clear without treatment, a positive result could cause unnecessary worry.

Many women will test positive for this common virus for which there is no treatment. Only a small number of women, in whom the virus doesn't clear, need to be concerned about the development of cancer.

It is also of concern if home tests of any kind deter women accessing health services and giving them the opportunity to discuss other health issues (ie STI screenings).

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) national guidelines on cervical screening recommend that women have a Pap smear every two years, which may prevent cervical cancer in 90 per cent of cases. A positive HPV result without a Pap smear isn't a clear indicator, as it is the presence of the virus in conjunction with an abnormal smear result that guides treatment options and protocols. As such, Tam Pap should not replace regular Pap smears. Even calling this home test 'Tam Pap' is a problem because it's not a replacement for the conventional Pap smear, althought the name misleadingly tries to suggest that it is. It is a completely different test. This virus, because it is sexually tranmitted, has long been stigmatised and women need clear and accurate and reassuring information about it.

For further information

Contact   Dr Christine Read