The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women having the choice to self-collect samples for cervical cancer screenings to increase screening rates.
Women in their 20s are advised to get Pap tests every three years, while women aged 30-65 can opt for HPV tests every five years.
The big picture: HPV tests can be performed using samples collected by a doctor or by the patient herself, either in a medical office or a mobile clinic.
- The use of self-collected HPV test kits has been expanded by US regulators to support self-collection in healthcare settings, with future implications for home testing.
- HPV, transmitted through sex, can lead to cervical cancer if the infection persists, emphasizing the importance of early detection through screening.
Driving the news: Common in Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, self-collection for cervical cancer screening has proven effective.
- Deaths from cervical cancer have decreased in the US; however, it remains a significant concern with over 14,000 new cases diagnosed annually.
- The American Cancer Society’s recommendations include no screening for women under 21, no screening for women over 65 with normal results, and no screening for women of any age who have had a total hysterectomy.
