651
ACOG Screening
Guidelines Since 2007
CHAPTER 65
Laura E. Martin, DO
❍ Why is cervical cancer screening important?
About 60% of cervical cancer cases are found in patients who have had inadequate screening.
❍ What is the incidence of cervical cancer in the United States?
Approximately 12,000 persons per year.
❍ What is the incidence of death from cervical cancer?
4220 persons per year.
❍ How many women age 15 to 19 have cervical cancer?
1 to 2 in 1,000,000 per year.
❍ What percentage of women over 65 years old have cervical cancer?
19%.
❍ When should screening begin?
21 year of age.
❍ How does the immune system respond to human papilloma virus (HPV) in a healthy patient?
85% to 90% of imunocompetent women clear the virus in 8 to 24 months. The remainder of women will develop
cervical dysplasia and possibly cervical cancer.
❍ Which screening methods are appropriate?
Both the liquid prep and the conventional technique (cells prepared on a slide) are appropriate with or without
HPV DNA testing.
❍ What is the benefit of the liquid based prep?
It also tests for gonorrhea and Chlamydia.