Public Comment Sought on Updated Cervical Cancer Screening Recommendations || NCI Cancer Bulletin for October 18, 2011 - National Cancer Institute

 

Public Comment Sought on Updated Cervical Cancer Screening Recommendations

On October 18, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued draft recommendations on screening for cervical cancer. The recommendations are an update of previous task force recommendations and are open for a 30-day public comment period.

The draft recommendations advise that screening with the Pap test should be done every 3 years for women ages 21 to 65 who have had vaginal intercourse and have a cervix. In women younger than age 30, the recommendations advise against screening using human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, either alone or in combination with the Pap test. In women 30 years of age and older, the task force concluded, “the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of HPV testing, alone or in combination with [a Pap test].”

The public comment period on the draft recommendation is open until November 16. Comments may be submitted via the USPSTF website or via mail to Dr. Robert Cosby, c/o USPSTF, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850.
NCI Cancer Bulletin for October 18, 2011 - National Cancer Institute