Health Spotlight: Cervical cancer screening rates haven’t rebounded after pandemic (WISH) — Cervical cancer screening rates remain low and have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, says a letter published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Cervical cancer scr eening should begin at age 21 years of age for average-risk women, with cervical cytology, typically obtained via Pap smear, every three years. For women from age 30-65 at an average risk, high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is recommended every five years, with cytology alone every three years or co-testing every five years. High-risk HPV testing may be considered as an alternative to cytology-only screening in average-risk women from age 25-29 years of age every five years.  In 2024 and 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved self-collection as a cervical cancer screening option, which may be helpful for women with access to care barriers. With the decreasing availability of women’s health care providers across the nation, self-collection may increase screening rates. Yet, there needs to be processes in place for a follow-up should someone have abnormal test results. A visit with a physician or health care provider to get a prescription is required for at-home tests. Following collection, the specimen must be mailed to a lab. Starting in January 2027, insurance carriers must provide coverage for updated screening guidelines. HPV vaccination remains one of the most effective measures for preventing cervical cancer as high risk-HPV causes cervical cancer. PREVIOUS COVERAGE ON WISH-TV: CDC report shows promising results for cervical cancer Unfortunately, vaccination rates remain low for both boys and girls. Of note, HPV infections are linked to throat cancer, genital warts and anal cancer in men and women, penile cancer in men, and vulvar, vaginal and cervical cancer in women. Vaccination is recommended starting at age 11-12, and as young as 9, and up to age 26, regardless of prior sexual activity, orientation or prior HPV exposure. HPV vaccination may be considered up to age 45. Vaccinations should not happen during pregnancy but can be received if a woman is breastfeeding. ...read more read less