Guangdong provides free test for papilloma virus

The program was organized by the Guangdong Population and Family Planning Commission and the Guangdong Family Planning Association.

BGI, a genomics institute in Shenzhen, provided HPV tests for married women in the province from July 2011 to June this year, authorities said in a statement on Sept 15.

HPV is closely related to cervical cancer. Research shows 99.7 percent of cervical cancer patients have HPV.

According to BGI, cervical cancer is the second-most common form of cancer among women in China, with 13,200 new cases detected each year. About 30,000 women die of the disease each year.

During the program, cases were detected in many cities, including Shenzhen, where 42 high-grade pre-cancerous lesions and seven cervical cancers were detected.

According to BGI, high-grade pre-cancerous lesions can be treated to prevent it developing into cancer, and 80 percent of cervical cancers detected at an early stage can be cured, so it's important to test or treat early.

Cases detected will be followed up by family planning units across Guangdong.