Brigitte Fernandes-McAlear, Director, Roche Molecular Solutions said “This is truly exciting news and will transform cervical cancer testing, saving many more lives.

“DNA based HPV testing has been at the heart of our research for over 10 years. Through our landmark ATHENA study Roche Diagnostics not only validated the cobas HPV test, but also demonstrated the long-term safety of using HPV DNA as a predictor of cervical cancer risk.

“To see HPV primary screening given prominence alongside existing testing, is therefore a landmark moment for patients. We look forward to working with the NHS screening programme to help identify those women most at risk of developing cervical cancer, and will be working with laboratories across the country to support the implementation of this new test.”

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