Cervical Cancer Screening in Elderly Women
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Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is the one of the leading causes of cancer death among women worldwide. Globally, with the current projections for increases in life expectancy, the prevalence of CC in elderly women is expected to rise, increasing the desirability of CC screening to detect the disease at an earlier stage in this group. However, making the decision to screen for CC in elderly women is often difficult and complex. The decision needs to be made using the best available evidence and a personalized assessment that integrates factors unique to elderly women with the aim to weigh the risks and benefits for each woman. The recent 2020 United States guideline update from the American Cancer Society recommends against cervical screening beyond age 65 in women who have had adequate negative screening results. Despite the evidence cited for this recommendation, implementation in a clinical practice guideline can be challenging, with resistance from elderly women and clinicians. Following is a brief review of current knowledge concerning the CC screening in elderly women. We also review the benefits and risks of CC screening in women older than 65 years.
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