Cervical cancer (2013)

Summary of recommendations for clinicians and policy-makers

These recommendations are for women who are/have been sexually active. They do not apply to women with symptoms of cervical cancer, women who have previously had abnormal screening results (until subsequent results allow them to return to regular screening), women who do not have a cervix (following a hysterectomy), or women who are immunosuppressed.

Recommendations

For women younger than 20 years, we recommend not screening for cervical cancer.

(Strong recommendation; high quality evidence)

For women aged 20-24 years, we recommend not routinely screening for cervical cancer.

(Weak recommendation; moderate quality evidence)

For women aged 25-29 years, we recommend routine screening for cervical cancer every 3 years.

(Weak recommendation; moderate quality evidence)

For women aged 30-69 years, we recommend routine screening for cervical cancer every 3 years.

(Strong recommendation; high quality evidence)

For women aged 70 years and older who have been adequately screened (i.e., 3 consecutive negative Pap tests in the last 10 years), we recommend that routine screening be discontinued. For women aged 70 years and older who have not been adequately screened, we recommend continuing screening until 3 negative test results are obtained.

(Weak recommendation; low quality evidence)