Cervical Cancer Screening Recommendations Change
- The World Health Organization (WHO) now recommends an HPV DNA-base test as the preferred screening method for cervical cancer, versus the pap smear.
- The pap smear is still the most widely used screening test, says WHO; 78% of countries use it alone, or combined with other tests.
- Symptoms of cervical cancer include abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual vaginal discharge, pain during sex, and pain in the pelvic region.
“Moving to a more objective biomarker-based screening platform for cervical cancer screening makes sense at this juncture,” says Dr. Thomas J. Herzog, a professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Cincinnati.
Dr. Herzog highlights the efficacy of HPV-based screenings. He says, “We now have enough data to determine the effectiveness of an HPV screening strategy thus this recommendation comes as no surprise since this has been the preferred screening method in some parts of the world. ”
"HPV is the causative agent in the vast majority of cervical cancer and HPV is detected in precancerous lesions of the cervix. HPV testing is more sensitive and specific as a screening test for cervical cancer than pap smears alone,” says Dr. Kari E Hacker, a gynecological oncologist at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center.
Dr. Ronald D. Alvarez of Vanderbilt University Medical Center says that the recommendation for HPV-based testing is consistent with other recommendations from organizations like the American Cancer Society (ACS), which recommend that, “past the age of 30, HPV-based testing could be one of the strategies for screening for cervical cancer,” says Dr. Alvarez.
“We know that HPV testing is actually more sensitive for detecting CIN 3,” he says. “Although it may lead to a few more colposcopies and biopsies. So I don’t think this is inconsistent with what the evidence has shown, and what other organizations that put out screening recommendations have also suggested.”
“The most important thing is to get screened,” says Dr. Alvarez. “How you get screened is less important but we have better ways to do that now. The most important thing is to one, get your HPV vaccines, and two, get screened. It’s a highly preventable disease,” he says.
Understanding Cervical Cancer
Every year in the U.S., approximately 14,480 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. And nearly a third of women diagnosed will pass away from this disease.
Getting screened for cervical cancer is critically important because an earlier diagnosis may mean a better prognosis and broader treatment options. Cervical cancer treatments may include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) the most common symptoms of cervical cancer can include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after vaginal sex, bleeding after menopause, bleeding and spotting between periods, or having (menstrual) periods that are longer or heavier than usual. Bleeding after douching may also occur.
- An unusual discharge from the vagina − the discharge may contain some blood and may occur between your periods or after menopause.
- Pain during sex.
- Pain in the pelvic region.
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Be an Advocate for Your Health
Pap smears are the predominant current screening method for cervical cancer. If your doctor advises a smear test over an HPV-based test, speak up. Our experts agree: Go into each doctor’s appointment with a plan, and be your own best advocate.
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai says, “The truth is you have to be in tune with your body, and you realize that you are not the statistic. That’s why it’s important for you to actually educate yourself and be your own health care advocate,” he says. “You should lead each doctor’s appointment with a plan.”
Be Pushy, Be Your Own Advocate… Don't Settle
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