Does Delaying Cervical and HPV Screening Have Negative Effects on Younger Women? -- An Editorial
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The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has since the publication of its last guidelines in 2006 radically changed the screening schedules for cervical cancer in younger women - those under age 21.
Previous recommendations were for Pap screening within three years of the onset of sexual activity or by age 21. Prior to this, screening was recommended within three years of onset of sexual activity or by age 18.
As of 2009, recommendations are to do no cervical screening or HPV testing at all in those women under the age of 21. While research has shown that the rates of HPV (human papillomavirus) are very high in this age group and that the majority of these regress within 24 months, approximately 20 percent of individuals will be shown to have persistent infections. It is the presence of HPV accompanied by persistent infection which is most likely to progress to serious precancerous lesions and cancer itself. HPV has already been associated with six different cancers in both men and women.
Mention is made of the importance of counseling those in this age group and in testing them for STIs during routine visits. However a full two-thirds of the women with whom I have communicated received little or no counseling at all and it is interesting that while testing for STIs is recommended, HPV testing is not included.
Does a woman not have a right to know if she is harboring a very contagious virus despite her age? And what about any future partners with whom she may come in contact? HPV is highly contagious and can be transferred during just one sexual encounter. Do her potential partners not have the right to decide whether or not they wish to become involved in a situation which may induce cancer in themselves?
ACOG states that early screening can lead to unnecessary and even harmful evaluations and treatments in women with very low risks of cancer. However it is not the early screening itself that produces these negative issues but what is done with the results of these screening tests. After all, it is their own guidelines which instruct the physician regarding how to proceed depending upon the results. A direct contradiction in terms.
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Add a Comment2 Comments
I have HPV and I am an engineer who works for the largest STD dating and support site STDslove. com. I have to tell you a secret, you can choose not to believe me. But the truth is that this site has more than 1,880,000 members and about 80% members are good looking in my estimation.
Unfortunately, STD rates soar worldwide and most people with STDs don't even know that they have them. The government should grant more money for STD education to lower the rates of STD transmission.
August 9, 2011 - 5:05amThis Comment
I agree that governments need to put more effort into a public campaign against HPV just as they did with the AIDS virus. It would be more credible if you posted as a representative for your site rather than anonymous. People who are unwilling to acknowledge who they are leave the content of their posts significantly in question. Something to consider.
August 9, 2011 - 2:02pm