The Importance of HPV Screenings for Older Women: Study Supports "Catch Up" Tests
A new study suggests that catch-up screenings for human papillomavirus (HPV) can improve cancer prevention and detection in women over 65 years old. Current guidelines recommend stopping cervical cancer screenings at age 65, but many women do not get screened as they approach this age. Older women account for about 20% of new cervical cancer cases, and until age 80, they are as likely to get cervical cancer as younger women. The study found that offering free HPV screenings to older women increased screening rates and detected more cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Experts suggest that more sensitive screening tests, like high-risk HPV tests, should be considered for older women.