Pap Test Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2022-2028)

The human papillomavirus (HPV) family is made up of 150 or so closely related viruses. The human papillomavirus is divided into different types and numbers. Only particular cell types known as squamous epithelial cells are attracted to the human papillomavirus, and these cells are also the only ones where the virus can thrive. An accurate screening method to ascertain if cervical cells are abnormal or normal is the pap test. Commonly known as a pap smear is a treatment used to check women for cervical cancers. A pap smear can also identify alterations in cervical cells that point to the potential emergence of cancer. People who have abnormal pap test results are encouraged to get a human papillomavirus test to further assess their risk of cervical cancer.

The Pap Test Market is expected to grow at a steady rate of around 11.4% owing to a surge in the cases of cervical cancers, technological developments taking place, and a rise in the number of cancer screening programs. The surge in the prevalence of cervical cancers among the global population is the major factor responsible for thriving the growth of the market. For instance, according to the World Health Organization, 2021, cervical cancer is the world's fourth-most common cancer, with more than 500,000 cases diagnosed every year.

Based on the method, the market is segmented into liquid-based and conventional-based. The liquid-based segment held a dominant share of the market in 2021. The major reason for the growth in this segment is attributed to the advantages that are offered by these methods. Liquid-based methods have been developed to improve the diagnostic reliability of Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. Traditional methods such as conventional pap smears used to have false-negative and false-positive results owing to inefficient sampling and slide preparation, and errors in laboratory detection and interpretation. Liquid-based methods rinse cervical cells in preservatives so that blood and other potentially obscuring material can be easily separated. It also allows for additional testing of the sample, such as HPV, leading to the growth of the pap test market.

On the basis of application, the market is segmented into cervical cancer screening, vaginal cancer screening, and others. The cervical cancer screening category is expected to hold a major market share during the forecast period owing to the rise in the number of cases of cervical cancers worldwide and the rising need for their diagnosis using pap tests. Moreover, rising initiatives and accurate screening programs are now being implemented so that every woman with cervical disease gets the treatment she needs. WHO's global strategy for cervical cancer elimination- endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2020 - requires 70% of women globally to be screened regularly for cervical disease with a high-performance test, and 90% of those needing it to receive appropriate treatment. Thus, the above-mentioned factors are the significant factor driving the segmental growth during the forecast period.

On the basis of technology, the market is bifurcated into PCR and others. The others held a dominant share of the market in 2021. The others segment consists of colposcopy and ELISA techniques among others. The dominant share is mainly due to the high adoption rate for colposcopy examinations done for the determination of cervical cancers.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of the pap test, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in the countries such as North America (U.S., Canada, and the Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. North America is anticipated to dominate the global pap test market mainly due to a surge in the cases of cervical cancers, leading to the need for rising awareness related to early screening for cancers, and various initiatives brought in during the forecast period. For instance, in 2020, WHO launched the Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, which outlined three key steps: vaccination, screening, and treatment. Successful implementation of all three reduced more than 40% of new cases of the disease and 5 million related deaths by 2050. Thus, these factors are driving the regional market in the forecast period.

Some of the major players operating in the market include: Abbott, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., BD, QIAGEN, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., HOLOGIC, INC., Seegene Inc., Arbor Vita Corporation, Femasys Inc., Hospital Equipment Mfg. Co., among others.