The HPV circus is still in town with plenty of sound and fury. Before we climb on the bandwagon and start expensive HPV DNA testing - as we are encouraged to do by commercial interests - let us be quite sure we are acting in our patients' best interests and not using technological improvements for the sake of science.
As our editorial points out, healthy young women will not thank you for a cancer scare, no matter how diligently you explain its significance. The evidence does not exist that HPV DNA screening reduces deaths from cervical cancer.
There is plenty else to amaze or amuse as the festive season approaches - so hang onto your sense of humour.
The following pieces are recommended reading for subspecialists and those in training:
Diagnosis and management of cervical cancer. Petignat & Roy BMJ 2007;335:765-8
Epilepsy in pregnancy. Thomson & Hiilesmaa BMJ 2007;335:769-73
