BioCentury
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HPV testing included in cervical cancer screening guidelines

March 16, 2012 12:06 AM UTC

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a final version of cervical cancer screening guidelines that recommends HPV screening as an option for women ages 30-65 in combination with cytology testing. The final version clarifies a draft issued in October that said there is "insufficient" evidence to assess the use of HPV testing in women ages 30 years and older. USPSTF now recommends cytology testing for women 21-65 every three years, or a combination of HPV screening and cytology testing every five years for women ages 30-65 who want to lengthen the screening interval. The guidelines recommend against HPV screening in women younger than 30, which is in line with the October draft (see BioCentury, Oct. 31, 2011).

Similar guidelines were released by the American Cancer Society, the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology and the American Society for Clinical Pathology Screening. ...