Screening for Cervical Cancer
by Amy Scholten, MPH
The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are given to people without symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.
Screening tests to help detect cervical cancer include:
Screening guidelines vary among medical groups. Screening also depends on a person's health. In general, for healthy women (without prior CIN 2 or higher) they are:
Pap tests may be recommended more often for those with:
Cervical cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/cervical-cancer . Accessed April 20, 2021.
Cervical cancer screening. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/prevention/cervical-cancer-screening. Accessed April 20, 2021.
Cervical cancer screening (PDQ). National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/patient/cervical-screening-pdq. . Accessed April 20, 2021.
Guidelines for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines.html. Accessed April 20, 2021.
Hu Z, Ma D. The precision prevention and therapy of HPV-related cervical cancer: new concepts and clinical implications. Cancer Med. 2018 Oct;7(10):5217-5236.
Last reviewed March 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP
Last Updated: 4/20/2021
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