The overselling and lack of evidence for TAMPAP

…in the face of promotion by media doctors.

My blog on the upheld ASA complaint over at the Guardian and a news story also.

Update 19/10/12

I don’t know how many women bought HPV Tampap test kits, at 30 a throw. But they may have been influenced to do so by this video, featuring Dr Dawn Harper and Dr Christian Jessen.

“As a trusted professional Christian, do you think the Tampap test could actually save your life?”

“Absolutely. I think if you’ve had a negative test result that is very reassuring, that is a great reassurance and peace of mind for those patients, but if you’ve had a positive result, that is a very important early warning sign that could save your life in the future.”

The ASA have decided this isn’t true, based on evidence. Unfortunately it seems that misconceptions of the role of HPV testing remain. For example. Dr Jessen tweeted this evening that

@DoctorChristian
IT WILL REPLACE SMEAR TESTS ON NHS IN FEW YEARS “@Sionedwards: .@DoctorChristian – what is the evidence base for advising HPV testing?
@DoctorChristian @Sionedward I think you need to read up on this one Dr Christian !!! It will not replace the Smear test…Cytoscreener ldn

In fact, the ongoing pilot – and it is a pilot – is based on this study, which looked at HPV identified through material obtained at cervical smear. If women test negative, they will be returned to the usual cervical screening programme. If they test positive, they will be referred for colposcopy. Having an HPV positive test will mean a recommendation from the NHS to have cervical examinations, and will not lead to a recommendation to avoid them. 
Whether or not women wish to have cervical screening is another issue, and I hope that the new information leaflets about cancer screening will ensure that people are able to make better choices.  In the meantime, doctors have to be careful about disclosing conflicts of interest when promoting a non evidence based 30 quid test to the public.

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