Roche sponsors smear test blog

Roche is sponsoring a blog which aims to encourage UK women to take a cervical smear test.

The blog, My Diary From Down Under, features no branding but visitors can read about Roche's newly-launched Cobas human papillomavirus (HPV) test. There is a disclaimer stating that the blogger is "working with" Roche and it also mentions the company's HPV test.

Healthcare writer and journalist Nikki Bayley will be tracking and blogging her journey of having a smear, from the moment she picks up the phone and makes an appointment, to receiving the results.

Paul Eros, director of molecular diagnostics at Roche, said: "Latest scientific research from around the world indicates that testing for HPV is a surer method of pinpointing high-risk cases of cervical pre-cancer since the virus is associated with 99.7 per cent of all cervical cancer."

"Currently, the screening programme does not test on a routine basis for the presence of HPV. Doing so could lead to better detection of those women at risk. Also, women who are not at risk benefit from attending screens less often, leading to cost and efficiency savings for the NHS."

Around 1,000 women die of cervical cancer in the UK each year. It is estimated that early detection through cervical screening and subsequent treatment can prevent up to 75 per cent of cervical cancers from developing in the UK.

The blog can be found at http://mydiaryfromdownunder.wordpress.com/