TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for cervical cancer, with different approaches recommended for those aged 21 to 29 years and 30 to 65 years. These recommendations form the basis of a draft recommendation statement published online Dec. 10.
Researchers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in Rockville, Maryland, conducted a systematic review to examine the comparative benefits and harms of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV)-based screening strategies. Eighty-one fair- to good-quality studies reported in 118 publications were included. The researchers note that for participants aged 25 to 64 years, primary hrHPV screening with or without cytology triage can detect more cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3+ in one round of screening compared with cytology with or without hrHPV triage. In a technical report, the guidelines-based strategy of three-year cytology alone from ages 21 to 65 years was not efficient, while several cotesting scenarios were on the efficiency frontier, and efficient strategies mainly involved five-year HPV testing starting at ages 25 or 30 years.
Based on these findings, the USPSTF recommends cervical cancer screening every three years with cervical cytology alone in women ages 21 to 29 years and every five years with hrHPV primary screening for women aged 30 to 65 years (A recommendation). For women aged 30 to 65 years, the USPSTF recommends continued screening every three years with cervical cytology alone or screening every five years with hrHPV testing combined with cytology as an alternative to primary screening (A recommendation).
The draft recommendation statement and evidence review have been posted for public comment. Comments can be submitted from Dec. 10, 2024, through Jan. 13, 2025.
Draft Evidence Review
Draft Technical Report
Draft Recommendation Statement
Comment on Recommendation Statement