New cervical cancer screening guidelines: What practitioners needs to know

In a recent interview with Contemporary OB/GYN, Jessica Shepherd, MD, discussed the new cervical cancer screening recommendations issued by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), explaining their implications for improving patient outcomes and addressing health disparities.

The USPSTF recommendations now provide age-specific guidelines for cervical cancer screening. Women aged 21 to 29 years are advised to undergo Pap tests every 3 years. For women aged 30 to 65 years, there are 3 screening options: co-testing with Pap and HPV testing every 5 years, Pap testing alone every 3 years, or HPV testing alone every 5 years.

The flexibility of these options aims to enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of screening. According to Shepherd, combining Pap and HPV testing is highly effective at reducing cervical cancer rates and mortality, as cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers with regular screening.

Shepherd highlighted the significant progress made in cervical cancer prevention because of these screening methods. Since the introduction of Pap tests, cervical cancer mortality rates have dropped by 70%. However, she underscored ongoing challenges, particularly in addressing racial and ethnic disparities.

Black women are more than twice as likely to die from cervical cancer as White women, while Hispanic women are 40% more likely to die compared to their White counterparts. These disparities highlight the need for better education, community outreach, and tailored interventions to ensure equitable access to screening and care.

Health care professionals play a crucial role in mitigating these disparities. Shepherd emphasized the importance of fostering strong patient-provider relationships and advocating for regular screening, particularly in vulnerable communities. Ob-gyns and other providers must actively educate patients on the benefits of co-testing and encourage adherence to screening schedules. Furthermore, health care systems need to prioritize awareness campaigns and patient education to bridge gaps in care and ensure that all women, particularly those in underserved communities, understand the importance of regular cervical cancer screening.

In closing, Shepherd expressed optimism about the potential to further reduce cervical cancer rates through widespread implementation of these screening strategies. She believes that through continued efforts in patient education, health care advocacy, and addressing systemic inequities, cervical cancer may one day be eradicated.