New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
The American Cancer Society has updated its cervical cancer screening guidelines to include self-collected vaginal swabs for HPV testing, a major shift in screening options. This method allows individuals to collect samples at home, increasing accessibility and comfort. HPV, or human papillomavirus, causes nearly all cervical cancer cases, making its detection crucial for early intervention.
Screening Recommendations and Frequency
Screening is recommended to start at age 25 and continue until age 65 for those with a cervix at average risk. The preferred test is primary HPV testing every five years, either through clinician-collected samples or self-collected swabs every three years. If results are normal, screening intervals can be safely extended, reducing unnecessary procedures while maintaining effectiveness.
Implications and Benefits
These changes empower more people to participate in regular screening, potentially increasing early detection rates. Self-collection can reduce barriers such as discomfort or limited access to healthcare providers. Ultimately, the updated guidelines aim to lower cervical cancer incidence and improve public health outcomes through more flexible, patient-centered screening.
About the Organizations Mentioned
American Cancer Society
The **American Cancer Society (ACS)** is a leading nationwide voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer by preventing it, saving lives, and reducing suffering through research, education, advocacy, and service. Founded on May 22, 1913, by ten physicians and five businessmen in New York City as the "American Society for the Control of Cancer," it was established to break the stigma and ignorance surrounding cancer, a disease then shrouded in fear and silence[1][2][7]. At its inception, the ACS prioritized public education, launching nationwide campaigns including articles in popular magazines and professional journals, a monthly bulletin called *Campaign Notes*, and even a silent film to encourage early diagnosis[1][3]. Early funding came from philanthropists like John D. Rockefeller Jr., enabling the organization to grow slowly but steadily[2]. A major shift occurred in 1945 when Mary Lasker, a prominent philanthropist, influenced the ACS to focus heavily on cancer research. This led to a reorganization and a renaming to the American Cancer Society, accompanied by significant fundraising efforts—over $4 million raised in the first campaign—ushering in a new era of scientific discovery[4]. The ACS has since been instrumental in many key medical advances, including supporting the development of chemotherapy, promoting the Pap test which reduced cervical cancer deaths by 70%, confirming the link between smoking and lung cancer that led to major declines in smoking rates, and proving mammography’s efficacy in early breast cancer detection[5]. Today, ACS operates through 13 division offices, more than 3,000 community offices, and a volunteer network exceeding 2 million people nationwide[7]. Its innovation arm, BrightEdge, launched in 2019, exemplifies its commitment to leveraging venture capital and impact investments to accelerate cancer research and technology[5]. The ACS remains a vital force in cancer prevention, treatment innovation, and policy advocacy, continuously advancing the fight against cancer over its 110+ year histor
