Cervical Cancer Screening for Individuals at Average Risk

Publication Date: July 29, 2020
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Recommendations

The ACS recommends that individuals with a cervix initiate cervical cancer screening at age 25 years and undergo primary HPV testing every 5 years through age 65 years (preferred). If primary HPV testing is not available, individuals aged 25 to 65 years should be screened with cotesting (HPV testing in combination with cytology) every 5 years or cytology alone every 3 years (acceptable) (strong recommendation)

Cotesting or cytology‐alone testing are acceptable options for cervical cancer screening because access to an FDA‐approved primary HPV test may be limited in some settings. As the United States makes the transition to primary HPV testing, the use of both cotesting and cytology for cervical cancer screening will not be included in future guidelines.

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Overview

Title

Cervical Cancer Screening for Individuals at Average Risk

Authoring Organization

American Cancer Society