The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists will issue revised guidelines for cervical cancer screening in the December issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Practice Bulletin ##109 "Cervical Cytology Screening".

 

Important changes in the Practice Bulletin include:

• Cervical cancer screening should begin at age 21 years (regardless of sexual history). Screening before age 21 should be avoided because women less than 21 years old are at very low risk of cancer. Screening these women may lead to unnecessary and harmful evaluation and treatment.
  
• Cervical cytology screening is recommended every 2 years for women between the ages of 21 years and 29 years. Evidence shows that screening women every year has little benefit over screening every other year.