"HPV Test Alone OK For Cervical Cancer Screening Over 30: Expert Panel" - Robert Preidt
The independent U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which issues closely heeded guidelines on a range of medical issues, said the test for the human papillomavirus can be used once every five years for women aged 30 to 65, in lieu of the once every three-year Pap test. Prior guidelines had called for the use of both tests together. "One of the biggest differences between these guidelines and the former guidelines is that the new guidelines recommend against co-testing – HPV test and a Pap test at the same time – for women at the ages of 30 to 65," noted Stephanie Blank, MD, professor in the division of gynecologic oncology, obstetrics, and gynecology and reproductive science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the director of women’s health for the Mount Sinai Downtown – Chelsea Center. As she explained, the rationale behind the change was that – based on the evidence – there was no increase in deaths whether women got both tests together or just the one test.
- Stephanie V. Blank, MD, Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Director of Women's Health, Mount Sinai Downtown- Chelsea Center
Additional coverage: