How Can You Protect Yourself Against Cervical Cancer?

Pap smears are no longer recommended annually; neither is HPV screening. Instead, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released new screening guidelines in 2012.

These recommendations apply to women who have a cervix, regardless of sexual history. These recommendations do not apply to women who have received a diagnosis of a high-grade precancerous cervical lesion or cervical cancer, women with in utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol, or women who are immunocompromised (such as those who are HIV positive).

•The US Preventative Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening women ages 21 to 65 years with cytology every 3 years or, for women ages 30 to 65 years who want to lengthen the screening interval, screening with a combination of cytology and HPV testing every 5 years. Grade A

•The USPSTF recommends against screening for cervical cancer in women younger than age 21 years. Grade D

•The USPSTF recommends against screening for cervical cancer in women older than age 65 years who have had adequate prior screening and are not otherwise at high risk for cervical cancer. Grade D

•The USPSTF recommends against screening for cervical cancer in women who have had a hysterectomy with removal of the cervix and who do not have a history of CIN 2, CIN 3or cervical cancer. Grade D

•The USPSTF recommends against screening for cervical cancer using HPV testing, alone or in combination with cytology, in women younger than age 30 years. Grade D

GRADE DEFINITION

Grade A: The USPSTF recommends the service. There is high certainty that the net benefit is substantial

Grade B: The USPSTF recommendsthe service. There is high certainty that the net benefit is moderate or there is moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial

Grade C: Note: The following statement is undergoing revision.

Clinicians may provide this service to selected patients depending on individual circumstances. However, for most individuals without signs or symptoms there is likely to be only a small benefit from this service

Grade D: The USPSTF recommends against the service. There is moderate or high certainty that the service has no net benefit or that the harmsoutweigh the benefits

Based on these classifications, this is the schedule for women to get Pap smears and HPV tests:

Women under 21: no screening necessary (Grade D)
Women age 21-65: Pap smear every 3 years (Grade A)
Women under 30: No HPV test necessary (Grade D)
Women age 30-65: Pap smear every 3 years, HPV test every 5 (Grade A)
Women older than age 65 who have had adequate prior screening and are not high risk: no screening necessary (Grade D)
Women after hysterectomy with removal of the cervix and with no history of high-grade precancer or cervical cancer: no screening necessary (Grade D)

Information via http://www.acog.org/~/media/districts/district%20ii/pdfs/uspstf_cervical_ca_screening_guidelines.pdf