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World J Clin Oncol. Oct 10, 2014; 5(4): 744-752
Published online Oct 10, 2014. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v5.i4.744
Update on prevention and screening of cervical cancer
Shaniqua L McGraw, Jeanne M Ferrante
Shaniqua L McGraw, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Somerset, New Jersey 08873, United States
Jeanne M Ferrante, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
Author contributions: McGraw SL performed the research, drafted the article, and approved the final version to be published; Ferrante JM conceived and designed the research, performed research, critically revised the article, and approved the final version to be published.
Correspondence to: Jeanne M Ferrante, MD, MPH, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Somerset, New Jersey 08873, United States. jeanne.ferrante@rutgers.edu
Telephone: +1-732-7433222 Fax: +1-732-7433395
Received: December 28, 2013
Revised: April 11, 2014
Accepted: May 13, 2014
Published online: October 10, 2014
Processing time: 216 Days and 16 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Screening is the best method to prevent cervical cancer. Screening strategies should weigh the benefits and risks of screening to avoid discovery and needless treatment of transient human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Current United States guidelines recommend Pap smear screening with conventional or liquid-based method no frequent than every 3 years, or every 5 years in women greater than age of 30 if done in conjunction with HPV testing. Screening is not recommend in females younger than 21 years, regardless of age at initiation of sex. In this population, options for prevention include HPV vaccination and decreasing other risk factors associated with HPV infection.