Scientists in the US have shed new light on the promise of a new screening method in the fight against cervical cancer.

New research carried out at the University of North Carolina (UNC) found that persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection could be used as a clinical marker for cervical cancer risk.

Senior author of the report Dr Jennifer Smith, research assistant professor of epidemiology in the UNC School of Public Health, said: "We found that a persistent HPV infection of six months to one year was consistently associated with a woman's increased risk of high-grade cervical lesions or cervical cancer."

At presents, Pap smear tests are used widely as part of screening programs to detect early risk of developing the cancer.

Dr Smith added: "The next step will be to develop a consensus definition of HPV 'persistence' that can then usefully inform clinical practice for future cervical cancer screening programs."

Thought to be the first of its kind, the study is published in the American Journal of Epidemiology and reviews 41 existing studies of over 22,500 women.

Cervical cancer is currently the second most common cancer in women worldwide.

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