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Get tested for high-risk human papillomavirus every five years, even if you are infected. Self-collected samples are the “preferred screening strategy” for cervical cancer starting at age 30, according to new draft recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Traditionally, many women have had a cervical cytology test as a test for cervical cancer. Pap test or Pap smear – Cells from your cervix are collected and examined for signs of cancer.
However, the USPSTF draft recommendations released Tuesday emphasize high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as a primary screening approach for women ages 30 to 65, as most women are. cervical cancer caused by a virus. An HPV test involves taking a vaginal sample and testing the cells for infection with high-risk types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.
“We believe that HPV screening as a primary screening for women aged 30 to 65 years provides the best balance of benefits and harms in detecting cervical cancer, and that “We emphasize that it should be provided to the public,” he said. Special Committee Member Dr. Esa Davisprofessor and senior associate dean of population health and community medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
And for the first time, the draft recommendation statement includes the option for women to self-collect their own vaginal samples for HPV testing.
“We now have an additional screening test, which may be more attractive to people who would not otherwise be screened, and that is through self-collection.” Davis said.
If an HPV test is not available, it is recommended that a Pap test be performed for screening or that both an HPV test and a cervical cytology test be performed at the same time.
HPV testing “has the best balance of benefits and harms, but the other two are equally effective screening options and will continue to be an option for clinicians and patients,” Davis said. .
According to the task force, this update to the draft recommendations is not because Pap tests are harmful, but because HPV testing is a more effective means of screening for cervical cancer in women aged 30 to 65. The draft recommendations continue to recommend screening with cervical cytology alone every three years for women in their 20s.
The Recommended Draft is not final, but Special committee website According to , public comments are being accepted until January 13th along with the draft evidence review. USPSTFa group of independent medical experts whose recommendations help guide doctors’ decisions and influence insurance plans.
of The American Cancer Society also recommends HPV testing. The group conducts it as part of its cervical cancer screening program, and its website states that primary HPV testing is more effective than a stand-alone Pap test in preventing cervical cancer. are.
“We look forward to reviewing these important guideline recommendations for cervical cancer screening and providing feedback to the USPSTF,” said Robert, executive vice president of early cancer detection science at the American Cancer Society. Dr. Smith said in a statement. “Screening guidelines are very important for women because cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers, and it is essential that women get screened regularly.”
about 80% of people get HPV infection in their lifetime.
HPV, Groups of over 150 virusesa low-risk strain that is spread primarily through sexual contact and most often causes warts, and is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, including cervical, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancer. Includes high-risk stocks.
Even if a woman is found to be infected with high-risk HPV, it does not necessarily mean that she has cancer. In most cases, HPV resolves on its own within two years; When the infection does not go awayhealth problems such as cancer can occur, so it is helpful to be able to detect and monitor these infections early.
The USPSTF will be updated with the latest information as the draft recommendations are completed. Cervical cancer screening recommendationsThe task force recommended that women between the ages of 21 and 29 be screened for the disease every three years with cervical cytology alone. For women aged 30 to 65, three options were recommended: cervical cytology only with continued screening every three years; Perform only high-risk human papillomavirus testing every 5 years. or high-risk HPV testing in combination with cytology every 5 years.
The panel recommends that women under 21 years of age not be screened for cervical cancer and women over 65 years of age who have been adequately screened and are not at high risk for cervical cancer. The new draft recommendation statement continues that guidance.
Overall, “If you’re between the ages of 21 and 65, it’s very important to get tested regularly. Cervical cancer is highly preventable and treatable, and early detection is extremely important.” Because it matters,” Davis said, adding in the introduction: The number of self-collected HPV tests in the new draft recommendations could help expand access to screening.
In May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Expands approval of two HPV tests To enable self-collected vaginal samples to be used in tests where patients are unable or unwilling to have a sample collected by a health care professional.
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This green light from the FDA means that patients will now have the option to collect their own vaginal samples for screening when self-collection occurs in health care settings such as doctor’s offices, urgent cares, and even mobile clinics. It has become. This approach is similar to how patients collect their own urine samples when visiting their doctor.
“This self-collection option provides greater access to women who are comfortable self-collecting and tests more women who otherwise would not have come for testing. It expands opportunities,” Davis said.
“For women who previously did not come to the clinic because of discomfort, we now have an option that hopefully appeals to that group to get tested, as cervical cancer is preventable if detected early. ” she said. “We don’t want any barriers for women who are eligible to get tested.”
