Cervical cancer: Can it be prevented?

Table 2 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines for cervical cancer screening

Commence	Frequency of smears (Pap or LBC) and HPV testing	Discontinue	HPV DNA
21 yr	1 3 yearly smears for < 30 yr 2 3 yearly smears or 5 yearly co-testing for> 30 yr (if previous smears normal) 3 3 yearly smears or 5 yearly co-testing for those previously treated for CIN2/3 or cancer (up to 20 yr)	1 > 65 yr 2 After hysterectomy for benign disease with no history of CIN	For women > 30 yr, two options to manage Positive test: Repeat co-testing at 12 mo; Test for HPV 16/18 and colposcopy if positive

HPV vaccination does not change these guidelines. HPV: Human papilloma virus; LBC: Liquid based cytology.