Cervical Cancer Screening: Is the Age Group 30 –65 Years Optimum for Screening in Low-Resource Settings?

ConclusionMajority of the significant cervical lesions would be detected if the screening focuses on the 30 –65 years age group. However, about 19% of high-grade squamous preneoplastic lesions (ASC-H/ HSIL) and 13% of preneoplastic glandular lesions (AGC-N) are likely to be missed if women 21–29 years and >  65 years are excluded. The cost of screening incurred by including these age groups has to be weighed against the benefits derived, especially in low-resource settings. In the absence of universal implementation of HPV immunization, there is a felt need to enhance cervical cancer awareness and e ncourage screening, more so in high-risk category and symptomatic females beyond the selected age group.
Source: The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India - Category: OBGYN Source Type: research