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The new discoveries were published November 1 in the journal The Lancet Oncology .
Currently, most recommendations indicate that screening for cervical cancer – whether done with the Pap test or the HPV DNA test – can be stopped between 65 and 69 years of age. However, there is a lack of high quality evidence to support this recommendation, the researchers said.
"Cervical cancers are caused by oncogenic HPV infections [cancer-causing]," Malagon explained. in a press release. For decades, doctors have turned to the Pap test "to detect precancerous lesions caused by HPV, which can then be treated even before they become cancer of the cervix of the uterus" she added.
The Pap test saved thousands of lives. "It's far from perfect because it does not always detect precancerous lesions that turn into cancer," Malagon said.
"We have known for some time that direct screening for the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer is as effective, if not better, than [the Pap test] for screening women under 60", she said.
It is unclear whether an older woman who is HPV-positive negative screening can safely stop screening,
The new study may help clarify this issue, Malagon said.
She warned that the study "does not necessarily suggest that all screening should stop at age 55, since the benefits of continued screening depends on the type of screening used." For countries still using screening [Pap test] screening at a later age should further reduce the risk of cervical cancer, "she noted.
In addition, "our study did not include any cost-effectiveness badysis that would be useful for the future."
Dr. Jill Rabin Helps Lead Women's Health Programs at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park (State of New York) She described the findings as "interesting", but cautioned several times that they
stated that factors that might deter "latent" HPV – such as stress or certain conditions Medical – could be at stake for some older women, which would make HPV testing invaluable.
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