22 Aug HPV Testing or PAP Smear To Screen for Cervical Cancer?
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Melnikow
Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH
Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine
Director, Center for Healthcare Policy and Research
University of California, Davis
Sacramento, CA 95817
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: This systematic review of the medical literature was conducted to support the update of the US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation. Because the effectiveness of cytology (Pap smear) screening is so well established, the review focused on the evidence on use of high risk Human Papillomavirus (hrHPV) screening, alone (primary screening) or combined with cytology (co-testing)
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Current evidence supports the use of cytology, hrHPV testing alone, or co-testing as effective approaches to screening for cervical cancer. hrHPV testing, alone or as co-testing, can be done at five year intervals, longer than the recommended 3 year interval for cytology.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: Additional research is needed to identify effective strategies for outreach and screening women who are not regularly screened. Because most women in the US are not part of an organized screening program, effective outreach is especially important in the US.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: Since the prior review, more evidence has emerged to support the use of hrHPV testing as primary screening.
I have no financial conflicts of interest.
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Last Updated on August 22, 2018 by Marie Benz MD FAAD