Hungarian company awarded for breakthrough medical test

Hungarian molecular diagnostics company GenoID was recently presented the "2006 Frost & Sullivan Product Innovation Award" for developing a "real-time" human papillomavirus (HPV) test kit, which helps with the early diagnosis of cervical cancer. This was the first time a company from the region received the award.

According to origo.hu, the test is capable of detecting an HPV infection in three hours. HPV causes the second most common gynecological tumor, cervical cancer, and is the cause of other malignant tumors. Nearly 500 women die of cervical cancer in Hungary every year, while in Finland, for example, the number is ten. Early detection of the virus is important, as such tumors - if diagnosed in time - are curable in 100% of cases.

GenoID's breakthrough test is available free of charge for Hungarians who have two consecutive cytological examinations showing evidence of HPV. Otherwise, patients can request it when they visit their doctor for a cervical cancer screening, and it costs Ft 4,000. More information (in Hungarian) can be found at www.hpvteszt.hu.

The presence of HPV does not always lead to the development of cancer. In 95% of cases, the body successfully fights back the infection within six to 15 months. Genetic factors, hormones, diet, other sexually transmitted diseases, smoking and oral contraceptives are all factors that affect whether the body can defeat an HPV infection.

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