Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
Rio de Janeiro expands DNA test for HPV screening
Rio de Janeiro state is expanding DNA testing for HPV as part of cervical cancer screening in its public health network.
The test can identify the virus before lesions develop, while the state says the Pap test it is replacing has about 50% accuracy.
The state puts the new test's accuracy near 100%, though that figure is its own estimate.
The test has been in the state network since February 2026, and 60,503 samples have been analyzed.
The screening protocol is for people aged 25 to 64, and a negative result can extend the preventive screening interval to five years.
HPV is a common sexually transmitted virus that often causes no symptoms, and vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection.
The state aims to make the test available at every gynecology unit by the end of 2026, and has distributed test kits and trained health workers.
Rio de Janeiro state is expanding DNA testing for HPV as a screening method for cervical cancer.
The state health department says the test can identify the virus before lesions appear and has accuracy close to 100%.
The test is replacing the Pap smear in the state public health network, where 60,503 samples had been analyzed.
The department aims to make the test available at all gynecology care units by the end of 2026.
The screening protocol is intended for people aged 25 to 64 and extends the preventive screening interval to five years.
- Who
- Rio de Janeiro state’s health department is expanding the test. The protocol is for people aged 25 to 64.
- What
- The state is expanding DNA testing for HPV as a cervical cancer screening method, replacing the Pap smear in its public health network.
- When
- The expansion was announced on October 26, 2026. The test was introduced in the state network in February 2026.
- Where
- Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.
- Why
- The test can detect HPV before lesions appear and reduce false negatives. The department says it has accuracy close to 100%.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The DNA test for HPV was introduced in Rio de Janeiro state’s public health network.
The state health department announced an expansion of the test’s availability.
The department aims to make the test available at all gynecology care units.
- Test accuracy
- Close to 100%, according to the state health department
- Samples analyzed
- 60,503
- Screening interval
- Five years
- Target age range
- 25 to 64
- Expansion goal
- All gynecology care units by the end of 2026