New Screening Guidelines

Transcript

The American Cancer Society’s new guidelines for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer have been recently updated in 2020. Cervical cancer screening or testing should begin at 25 years, whereas in the past, this used to be 21 to 24 years. Those between 25 and 65 should have the primary HPV tests every five years. If the HPV test alone is not available, then screening can be done with an HPV along with the pap as a co-test every five years or a pap test alone every three years.

Those over 65 who have had regular screening in the past 10 years and have had normal results with no history of CIN 2 or precancerous lesion or more serious diagnosis within the last 25 years should stop cervical cancer screening.

Once stopped, do not restart screening. The biggest thing about these changes in guidelines is that this does not change the fact that one should still see their medical provider once a year for a complete physical exam. And that includes a pelvic exam in order to screen for other cancers and diseases.

Key Takeaways

1. The American Cancer Society’s new guidelines for cervical cancer screening or testing start at 25 years as of 2020.

2. Those between 25 and 65 should have the primary HPV tests every five years.

3. If the HPV test alone is not available, screening can be done with an HPV along with the pap smear as a co-test every five years or a pap test alone every three years.

4. Those over 65 who have had regular screening with normal results and no history of CIN 2 or precancerous lesion or more serious diagnosis within the last 25 years should stop screening.

5. One should still see their medical provider once a year for a complete physical exam.