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STI QUARTERLY

New Guidelines Reinforce Need for Change in Cervical Cancer Screening Practice

Goal is fewer routine Pap smears

Screening standards for cervical cancer have changed over the past two decades, including several updates since the first consensus guidelines, published in 2001 by the American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology. The 2020 revision is based on data showing that patients’ risk of developing cervical precancer or cancer can be estimated using screening test results, biopsy results, and consideration of personal patient factors.