Don’t screen women younger than 30 years for cervical cancer with human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, alone or in combination with cytology.

Rationale and Comments

There is adequate evidence that the harms of HPV testing, alone or in combination with cytology, in women younger than 30 years are moderate. The harms include more frequent testing and invasive diagnostic procedures such as colposcopy and cervical biopsy. Abnormal screening test results are also associated with psychological harms, anxiety, and distress.

Sponsoring Organizations

American Academy of Family Physicians

Sources

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Disciplines

Gynecologic
Oncologic
Preventive Medicine

References

American Academy of Family Physicians. Screening for cervical cancer policy. http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/clinical/ exam/cervicalcancer.html.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for cervical cancer. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/ uspscerv.htm.
Vesco KK, et al. Screening for cervical cancer: a systematic evidence review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Rockville, Md.: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2011. http://preview.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/booktest/ br.fcgi?book=es86.