Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) DNA Testing Followed by HPV Genotyping Based Cervical Cancer Screening in Magway Region

Mu Mu Shwe, Khin May Thin, Lei Lei Aye Thaung, Lynn Pa Pa Aye, Kham Mo Aung, May Zon Myint, Htwe Htwe Nyunt, Kyaw Soe Tun & Win Maw Tun

Myanmar Health Sciences Research Journal, 2021: 33,(1-3): 74- 82

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer, the first leading cause of female cancer in Myanmar. So, screening women for the presence of HPV is a critical aspect for prevention and early treatment of cervical cancer.  The objectives were to conduct HPV DNA testing followed by HPV genotyping based Cervical Cancer Screening in Magway Region and to identify the cervical histological abnormalities among women who have HPV infection. It was a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study. Total of asymptotic 6 married women (median age 0 years; range 0-50) residing in Magway Region were screened in 09. Cervical cells were obtained by sterile disposable careBrush and collected in careHPV Collection Medium. HPV-DNA-testing was performed using careHPV test which detects pooled--high-risk-HPV-6, -8, -, -, -5, -9, -5, -5, -5, -56, -58, -59, -66 and -68. HPV-positive-cases were followed by colposcopy-directed-biopsy and histology and HPV6/8 genotyping using GeneXpert HPV -Test. HPV was identified in 6.% of screened women in Magway Region. Among HPV-positive cases, other-HR-HPV-genotypes (HPV -, -, -5, -9, -5, -5, -56, -58, -59, -66 and -68) were 75%, HPV -6 (.5%) and HPV-8/5 (.5%). 

According to information center on Human Papillomavirus (ICO-HPV) and cancer report (2019), cervical cancer is the second most  common female cancer in the women aged 15  to  44  years  and  the  2^nd  most  common female cancer deaths in the world with an estimated 569,847 new cases and 311,365 deaths in 2018 (GLOBOCAN).¹ In Southeast Asia, incidence and mortality of cervical cancer are about 62,456 cases and 35,738 deaths, respectively.¹

Study population and design

This study was a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 264 married women (mean age-40 years; range 30-50) residing in Magway Region were screened using HPV DNA testing and genotyping
in 2019. After obtaining a written informed consent, a thorough history was taken using structured-proforma. Then, speculum exami-nation was performed under good light source. Cervical cells were obtained by sterile disposable careBrush and collected in careHPV Collection Medium. The samples were sent to the Technology Development Division, Department of Medical Research (DMR), Yangon at room temperature. Then, those samples were stored in 4°C refrigerator prior to testing.

ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (2019) reported: Asia has an estimated population of 1673.2 million women aged 15 years and older who are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Current estimates indicate that every year 315,346 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 168,411 die from the disease. Cervical cancer ranks as the third most frequent cancer among women in Asia.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.