Pap Smear Screening Guidelines

PAP SMEAR SCREENING GUIDELINES

Current Pap Smear Screening Guidelines are endorsed by the following organizations: American Cancer Society (ACS), American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP), United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), American College of Obstetrics Gynecology (ACOG).

Definitions:

• Pap smear- test that collects cells from the surface of your cervix and inside its opening.  These cells are evaluated by a pathologist under a microscope for abnormalities.

• High Risk Human Papilloma Virus (HR-HPV) Testing- test that determines the presence of one or more strains of HR-HPV which increase a woman’s risk of cervical cancer.

• Co-testing- Collection of Pap Smear and HR-HPV at the same office visit.

• Reflex HR-HPV testing- HR-HPV testing performed on an abnormal pap smear result.

Under age 21 Recommendations:

-No pap smear

-No HR-HPV testing

-No Co Testing for pap and HR-HPV

-No HR-HPV Reflex testing on abnormal pap smears

Age 21-29 Recommendations:

-Pap smear every 3 years

-No HR-HPV testing

-No Co-testing for pap and HR-HPV

-Reflex testing for HR-HPV on abnormal pap smears acceptable

-Exceptions are based on patient history and clinical judgement

Age 30-65 Recommendations:

-Co-testing for pap and HR-HPV every 5 years or

– Pap smear with Reflex HR-HPV typing every 3 years

– Exceptions are based on patient history and clinical judgement

Over age 65 Recommendations:

-May stop pap smears and co-testing after 3 consecutive normal paps or 2 consecutive co-testing in last 10 years

– Exceptions are based on patient history and clinical judgement