New Guidelines Empower Women to Self-Test for Cervical Cancer
In a significant shift aimed at increasing cervical cancer screenings, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has endorsed self-sampling for women over 30, allowing them to collect their own vaginal tissue samples for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. HPV is the primary cause of almost all cervical cancer cases.
The updated guidelines, announced on Tuesday, suggest that women can now opt for self-collection at a doctor’s office rather than undergoing a full pelvic exam. This approach has been proven to be as accurate as clinician-collected samples, according to the task force, and could encourage more women to get screened regularly.
“Women who would be more comfortable collecting their HPV test sample themselves can now do so,” said Dr. Esa Davis, a task force member, in a press release. “We hope that this new, effective option helps even more women get screened regularly.”
Self-Testing Gains Momentum
The endorsement comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a self-testing kit for cervical cancer earlier this year. For women aged 30 to 65, an HPV test every five years is now considered the optimal screening regimen. Alternatives include a Pap test every three years or a combined Pap smear and HPV test every five years.
Experts like Dr. Karen Lu, physician-in-chief of Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, have welcomed the new option. She emphasized that regular screening is critical for preventing cervical cancer. "What we worry about, as doctors who take care of women with cervical cancer, is that if screening becomes less routine, people kind of forget to do it," Dr. Lu told The New York Times.
Addressing Declining Screening Rates
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, thanks to effective screening methods. Yet, about one-quarter of women aged 21 to 65 in the United States were not up to date on their screenings in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The consequences of missed screenings are dire. Cervical cancer claims the lives of 350,000 women globally each year. While the incidence of cervical cancer in the United States has dropped dramatically—thanks in large part to widespread Pap smear adoption—about 4,360 women are still expected to die from the disease this year, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
The Path Forward
The task force’s new guidelines aim to simplify cervical cancer screening and reduce confusion about the available options. Dr. John Wong, vice chair of the task force, underscored the importance of regular screening, calling cervical cancer "one of the most treatable and preventable types of cancer."
Women can stop screening at age 65 if they have a history of normal results from the past three Pap smears or two HPV tests.
The ACS echoes the importance of consistent testing, regardless of the method. “The most important thing to remember is to get screened regularly, no matter which test you get,” the society emphasizes in its guidelines.
With these changes, healthcare providers and advocates hope to eliminate barriers to screening, ensuring that more women receive potentially life-saving early detection.