92002E2026

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2026/02

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(9 July 2002)

Subject: Adoption of the HPV test in the European Union

It is well known that human papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause of cervical cancer and that the HPV test, if applied, could prevent the futile deaths of women who die each year because testing was not provided.

Six regions in Italy are currently involved in a research programme to determine the conditions necessary for the test to be adopted in Italy. All women should be given access to the most advanced technology available to ensure their health is protected. This is particularly important in the case of cervical cancer, a slow-growing disease which is 100 % curable if treated in time.

1. Can the Commission therefore provide information on the number of women who die unnecessarily as a result of this disease?

2. Given the scientifically proven advantages of the HPV test and the latest developments both in the EU and the United States (the ESIDOG conference and the new guidelines provided by the US National Cancer Institute), can the Commission indicate if it intends to include HPV testing as part of the recommendations on cancer screening which it will be publishing shortly?

3. If it does not intend to do so, can it say why?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2002)

1. No, the Commission cannot provide the information on the number of women, who unnecessarily die from cervical cancer due to not being screened for their cervical HPV status due to the fact that this particular test has only been used in a restricted number of clinical studies. The European Cervical Cancer Screening Network

co-financed by the Europe against Cancer programme has followed these developments closely for many years and is expected to develop a consensus on European guidelines for quality assurance in cervical cancer screening. The guidelines will address all aspects of cervical cancer screening including HPV diagnostics. The publication of this document is scheduled for 2003 at the earliest.

2. and 3. The Draft Council Recommendation on Cancer Screening, presently in preparation within the Commission Services, is expected to refrain from very specific recommendations on particular screening tests. The recommendation is expected to focus on comprehensively laying the ground for the most important aspects of European best practice in early detection of cancer by screening. Any form of testing to be adopted by Member States, including HPV testing would have to meet such standards to maximise its contribution to a further reduction of the cervical cancer mortality of European women.

In addition, Directorate General Research are funding a project under the Quality of Life programme within the Fifth Framework Programme, which examines the relative merits of HPV cervical cancer screening for the Member States. Results are expected in 2004.