The coming year promises to be a pivotal one for clinicians caring for women with human papillomavirus (HPV) as researchers move advances into clinical practice at an ever faster pace.  Two HPV vaccines are approaching clinical approval.  New diagnostic tests will soon be available, including HPV assays that allow identification of specific HPV types.  New research is showing new applications for existing tests and technologies.

And ASCCP is positioned to provide you with the most up-to-date information on the benefits and limitations of these new approaches!  At the 2006 Biennial meeting in Las Vegas March 13-17, we sponsored two special symposia on HPV in addition to presentations on updates on HPV-related disease during plenary sessions.  One of these, The Clinical Utility of HPV DNA Typing Symposia, will be added as an online lecture to the Society’s Online CME Series later this summer. In the fall, ASCCP will be sponsoring another Consensus Conference on Management of Abnormal Cervical Cytology and CIN to update the successful 2001 conference; the new conference will include special strategies for incorporating HPV DNA testing into management.  And ASCCP will hold a series of training sessions designed to educate clinicians with a special interest in HPV to become local experts and provide consultation and continuing medical education programs to their own communities.

Rational use of the HPV vaccines will require the diffusion of expertise in HPV biology throughout the U.S. medical community—with the greatest challenge being in the smaller and mid-sized communities that lack clinicians who have expertise in this area.  To help meet that need, ASCCP has developed the Educate the Educators' Program, a series of training courses and home study assessment programs designed to train ASCCP members and other providers to become local community experts and ‘second generation trainers’ for Local Education Programs (LEP).

The 2- to 4-hour training courses will be held at regional locations throughout 2006, with an optional web-based teleconference training course to be held on three separate dates.  Participants will receive Speaker Lecture kits prepared by the ASCCP.   Each Speaker Lecture kit will consist of PowerPoint presentations suitable for both CME and non-CME lecture formats, reprints of important published articles pertaining to HPV and HPV vaccines, and more. To assist those who elect to provide outreach to colleagues, ASCCP will maintain a Speakers Support Center, providing access to additional teaching resources, updates to the slide sets, and contacts with industry sponsors and others who can facilitate local speaking engagements.  

Participation in the Educators' program is free and open to ASCCP members and non-members attending the ASCCP postgraduate courses.

2006 Educate the Educators’ Regional Meetings Schedule
Educate the Educators’ Speakers Support Center

As referenced above, ASCCP will sponsor another Consensus Conference on Cervical Cytological Abnormalities and CIN, updating the 2001 Consensus Guidelines.  New evidence-based guidelines will address recent research, with special attention to the implications of HPV testing as part of combination screening and the value of modified approaches to special groups, such as young women.  Draft guidelines are now available for public comment on the ASCCP website and we would encourage all women’s health care providers to participate in the two public Internet forums. At the September 18-19, 2006 meeting in Bethesda, delegates representing the sponsoring Federal agencies and medical organizations in the areas of gynecology, gynecologic oncology, family practice, pathology, epidemiology, and statistics will debate and adopt revised guidelines that should focus practice in lower genital tract disease for the rest of the decade.

Clinical Uses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA Testing
With the advent of sensitive molecular tests for the detection of HPV DNA, it is imperative that clinicians performing cytological screening become familiar with the use of HPV DNA testing. The Society has produced a home study course that provides clinicians with up-to-date information on HPV DNA testing, specifically the natural history of HPV infections, the tests that can be used to detect HPV, and appropriate uses of the tests in clinical practice. This home study course module is designed for healthcare professionals involved in women's health and is designated for 4.0 credit hours of CME activity in Category 1 of the Physician's Recognition Award of the American Medical Association and for the ASCCP's Program for Continuing Professional Development. If you are a healthcare provider wishing to take part in this CME activity, please order your booklet online at the ASCCP Bookstore. The cost is $2.50/booklet.  A pocket guide representing the condensed guidelines and algorithms from the HPV self-assessment booklet is also available for sale for $1.50/booklet. Please allow 1-2 weeks to receive either the home study course or pocket guide by mail. Clinical Uses of HPV DNA Testing Self Assessment Exam Answer Sheet

Online CME lecture (Free):  
Natural History and Epidemiology of HPV and Immune Response to HPV
COURSE SUMMARY:   This lecture will include the epidemiology and natural history of genital HPV infection and how it relates to some of the questions most frequently asked by patients. One of the most difficult tasks that we face in taking care of patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) infections is the myriad of questions that most will have when given the diagnosis. While most of our patients have heard about other common STDs, the majority is completely unaware of human papillomavirus (HPV) and of the relationship of this virus with certain abnormal Pap results and with cervical cancer. Incomplete understanding of the natural history and epidemiology of HPV amongst clinicians adds to the anxiety, as the patient often receives conflicting information. Although some questions remain without solid answers, what is known about the epidemiology and natural history of HPV does provide enough insight to be able to provide guidance and reassurance. Where possible, responses to patient questions are formulated to provide maximum reassurance first, followed by enough knowledge to encourage diligent follow-up. Fear and ignorance are each patient’s enemy. Often the biggest challenge in the care of our patients is the elimination of these negatives as quickly and completely as possible. We hope that the information presented in this lecture will enable us all to fulfill this goal. 

Online CME Lecture (Free):
Primary Cervical Screening with HPV Testing and Cytology Combined
COURSE SUMMARY:  The course opens with a discussion of the relationship between HPV and abnormal cervical cytology, CIN and cervical cancer, followed by an overview of the general interval recommendations for cervical cancer screening of both the ACS and ACOG. The course then proceeds into an in-depth review of the data and rationale behind screening women age 30 and over with HPV testing combined with cytology. The next section discusses the new NCI-ASCCP-ACS "Interim Guidance" recommendations for managing women found to be HPV positive but Pap test negative, and various other combinations of Pap and HPV test results. Logistics of combined screening, methods for testing for HPV, clinical parameters for use, and patient counseling and education issues are also explored.

Online CME lecture (Free):   
Immune Response to HPV
COURSE SUMMARY:  An understanding of the epidemiology, natural history of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the host immune response is a prerequisite for making appropriate decisions on the treatment of HPV lesions and for educating patients about this sexually transmitted virus.  This lecture will provide a broad knowledge base on the viral life cycle and the host immune response. Additionally, use of knowledge about the immune response to HPV has enabled research into methods that may enhance the host immune response. These new developments will be discussed, including immune response modifiers and the current status of HPV vaccines.

Medical Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on HPV
Natural History of HPV  
Diagnosing HPV 
Treatment  

Media Room
HPV Bullet Points - Coming Soon!
Consensus Conference Media Room
See also Medical FAQs (above) on the natural history, diagnosis, and treatment of HPV

Patient Education Pamphlets (Free)
What Women Should Know about HPV and Cervical Health
HPV Testing – Is It for Me?
El Virus del Papiloma Humano (VPH)  - Spanish text