The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued revised cervical cancer screening guidelines. The new cervical cancer screening guidelines were published online November 20, 2009 and will appear in the December 2009 print issue of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

According to the newly-revised cervical cancer screening guidelines, women should first be screened for cervical cancer at age 21 and, for women under 30 years of age who are not at high risk, re-screening can be performed every 2 years, which is less frequently than previously recommended. Women aged 30 and older can be screened for cervical cancer once every 3 years. Based on a review of the evidence to date, the practice of doing a Pap smear every year is no better at preventing cervical cancer than screening at less frequent intervals. Of note, the ACOG indicates that either the standard Pap smear or liquid-based cytology is suitable for cervical cancer screening.

These new cervical cancer screening guidelines would decrease health care costs and potentially avoid unnecessary medical interventions that could be harmful in younger women who are at a very low risk for cervical cancer. However, it is important to keep in mind that women with cervical cancer risk factors such as HIV infection, immunosuppression, and treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or previous cervical cancer may require more frequent screening.

To see the full ACOG Practice Bulletin on cervical cancer screening, click here.

Source:

ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 109, December 2009.