New recommendations reflect ‘continued evolution’ of cervical cancer screening

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force today issued a recommendation statement and evidence review supporting cervical cancer screening via cervical cytology every 3 years among women aged 21 to 29 years.

Among women aged 30 to 65 years, the USPSTF recommended screening every 3 years with cervical cytology — also known as a Pap test — alone; every 5 years with high-risk HPV testing alone; or every 5 years with high-risk HPV testing in combination with cytology, also known as co-testing.

The task force noted these recommendations apply to women — regardless of sexual history — who have a cervix and show no signs or symptoms of cervical cancer.

“Screening for cervical cancer saves lives and identifies the condition early when it is treatable,” task force member Carol Mangione, MD, MSPH, and chief of the division of general internal medicine and health services research at University of California at Los Angeles, said in a press release. “There are several effective screening strategies available, so women should talk to their doctor about which one is right for them.”

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