The National Cancer Institute (NCI) supports the American Cancer Society (ACS) in its publication of new guidelines on cervical cancer screening, issued today. Based on recent advances, the guidelines include recommendations on when women should begin undergoing regular cervical cancer screening, how often women should be screened, and when women can discontinue regular screening.

“The work of dedicated researchers around the country underlies these guidelines,” said Peter Greenwald, M.D., Dr.P.H., director of the Division of Cancer Prevention at NCI. “Exciting new tools and strategies continue to be researched and developed, but regular screening remains a vital part of the prevention and early detection of this disease.”

It is estimated that cervical cancer will be responsible for approximately 4,100 deaths in the United States this year. This number reflects an estimated 70 percent decline from the mid-20th century, when the Papanicolaou (Pap) test – the collection of cells from the cervix for examination under a microscope – was first introduced as a screening tool. Cervical cancer screening is important to detect any abnormal cell changes that may arise before cancer develops.

In recent years, researchers have identified the human papillomavirus (HPV) as the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV infections are very common, however, while cervical cancer is not. Most HPV infections go away on their own and do not lead to cervical cancer.

The American Cancer Society’s new guidelines are available at http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/short/52/6/342. NCI’s summary points for cervical cancer screening follow:

• Cervical cancer screening should begin approximately three years after a woman begins having sexual intercourse, but no later than at 21 years old.
• Experts recommend waiting approximately three years following the initiation of sexual activity because transient HPV infections and cervical cell changes that are not significant are common and it takes years for a significant abnormality or cancer to develop. Cervical cancer is extremely rare in women under the age of 25.
• Women should have a Pap test at least once every three years.
• Women 65 to 70 years of age who have had at least three normal Pap tests and no abnormal Pap tests in the last 10 years may decide, upon consultation with their healthcare provider, to stop cervical cancer screening.
• Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) do not need to undergo cervical cancer screening, unless the surgery was done as a treatment for cervical precancer or cancer.
• Women should seek expert medical advice about when they should begin screening, how often they should be screened, and when they can discontinue cervical screenings, especially if they are at higher than average risk of cervical cancer due to factors such as HIV infection.