Belém expands HPV DNA testing, gradually replacing Pap smear for women aged 30-64

Belém, Brazil, is expanding access to the DNA-HPV test, a new screening method that is gradually replacing the Pap smear in the municipal health network. Women aged 30 to 64 who are covered by the Unified Health System (SUS) can now undergo this test at 24 basic health units in the capital. The DNA-HPV test directly detects the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer, before any cervical lesions appear. This proactive approach contrasts with the conventional Pap smear, which identifies cellular changes. The expansion aligns with the National Cancer Institute's (Inca) projection of approximately 2,500 new cervical cancer cases in Pará by 2026. Since the technology's implementation in December 2025, over a thousand women have already been tested. Belém accounts for more than half of the HPV tests conducted in Pará, with laboratory processing handled by the Evandro Chagas Institute (IEC). According to Aline Gobbo, Sesma's technical reference coordinator for Women's Health, this shift represents a significant advancement in disease prevention, allowing for earlier monitoring and intervention. She emphasizes that a positive HPV result does not automatically mean a cancer diagnosis, as the body often clears the virus. However, persistent infections can lead to precancerous lesions that, if untreated, may develop into cancer. The test is recommended for individuals between 30 and 64 years old who have been sexually active and have not had a preventive exam in over two years, or have never had one. Requirements include identification, CPF, SUS card, and proof of residence, with specific instructions to avoid menstruation, sexual intercourse for 48 hours prior, and vaginal medications or creams.