Frequently Asked Questions

How is HPV contracted?

HPV can be transmitted through any sexual contact. HPV can also be spread with simple skin-to-skin contact. This includes any form of non-penetrative sex, such as body rubbing.

How is HPV Detected?

Most of the time, HPV does not show any symptoms which makes it's difficult to tell if an infection has occurred. People under 30, generally clear the virus on its own. However, with age this ability is worsened. 

can Cervical cancer be prevented?

Qvintip can detect the causes of cervical cancer before cell changes occur, giving patients the best prospects of starting treatment early, which saves lives.

Why should I take an HPV-test?

A persistent infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can over time lead to cell changes which may develop into cervical cancer. Your sample will be analysed for presence of high-risk HPV.

Who should be tested?

Women aged 20 or above that want to be active about monitoring their health and ensure they don’t get cervical cancer should take the test. Testing for high-risk HPV is especially important for women that do not have regular smear tests − 65% of cervical cancer sufferers have not had a smear test.

Women aged above 65, who are no longer covered established screening programs, will also benefit from HPV self-sampling at home. Women that are HPV-positive in middle age are often carrying long-lasting infections, which may have caused cell damage.

Even if you have regular pap smears, HPV tests offer extra security − 25% of the women that get cervical cancer each year had normal results in their most recent smear test (1). Smear tests aren’t as sensitive as HPV-tests.

How do I know if I’ve taken the test correctly? What IF THE SWAB GETS CONTAMINATED?

If you follow the instructions for use provided for Qvintip®, you can be sure you’ve sampled correctly. This type of self-sampling has today been performed by thousands of women who have all self-sampled successfully. If the swab gets contaminated before sampling, do not use the swab and request a new Qvintip self-sampling kit. If the contamination happens after sampling, the sample should be discarded and not sent to the lab and request a new Qvintip self-sampling kit. You’re always welcome to contact us if you’ve got any questions.

What are the benefits of self-sampling?

The greatest benefit is knowing whether or not you’ve got a high-risk HPV infection. It’s also easy and convenient − you can self-sample in the comfort of your own home, when it suits you, without having to undergo a gynecological examination.

WHat Happens after I’VE sent my sample?

You will receive your results, whether you are HPV-postive or HPV negative, via mail.

Normal Result

If the results are normal and the test shows no high-risk HPV then there’s no need for any short-term follow-up. But it’s important to take a test regularly because the virus spreads through sexual contact. We recommend within three years.

HPV-positive result

Firstly, it’s important to remember that infection with high-risk HPV does not mean you already have cell changes or cervical cancer. Most infections clear up spontaneously as a result of our immune defenses. If the test shows that you have an HPV infection, we recommend that you contact your gynaecologist.

The gynaecologist is most likely to do a colposcopy, which literally, takes a closer look at the cervix. A colposcopy examines the cervix through a microscope, checking for any abnormalities. If anything suspicious is identified, the gynaecologist can take a biopsy − a small piece of tissue − and send it to a lab for analysis.

Treatments for cell changes

There are different methods for treating cell changes, all based on removing the changed cells. One common procedure is called conisation, which is the removal of a small conical portion of the cervix. It is an out-patient procedure performed under local anaesthetic. Patients go home straight afterwards.