Women: Review the Latest American Cancer Society Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines

The following is a brief overview of recent changes to the American Cancer Society Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines. The American Cancer Society cervical cancer screening guidelines have been revised to take into account new scientific findings and developments.

According to the American Cancer Society, all women should begin cervical cancer screening about 3 years after they begin having vaginal intercourse, but no later than when they are 21 years old.

There are two types of screening tests: a regular Pap test and a liquid based Pap test. Both procedures are identical in that a Q tip cottom swab is inserted into the cervical area for a tissue sample. However, the liquid Pap test is more accurate and sensitive. Keep in mind, however, a number of health insurance companies do not cover the costs of the liquid based Pap test.

Screening should be done every year with the regular Pap test or every 2 years using the newer liquid-based Pap test.

Starting at the age of thirty, women who have had 3 normal Pap test results in a row may get screened every 2 to 3 years. Another reasonable option for women over 30 is to get screened every 3 years (but not more frequently) with either the conventional or liquid-based Pap test, plus the HPV DNA test.

Women 70 years of age or older who have had 3 or more normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal Pap test results in the last 10 years may choose to stop having cervical cancer screening.

Women, age 21 and older, with certain risk factors such as a history of cervical cancer, DES exposure before birth, HIV infection or a weakened immune system should continue to have annual cervical cancer screenings.

For more information, please contact your physician or you may also review the guidelines from the American Cancer Society.

Source: American Cancer Society