| Popis: |
Cervical cancer screening is an example of a successful preventative strategy that markedly reduces the incidence of invasive cervical cancer (ICC) and mortality from ICC among women. Evolving screening guidelines utilizing cytology from Pap tests and high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) detection have improved the identification of precursor lesions which are treated to prevent the progression to ICC. Guidelines differ by patient age and immune status, but all persons with a cervix of ages 21–65 years, regardless of sexual orientation, sexual history, or gender identity, need to be screened regularly. Understanding the natural history of HPV and cervical abnormalities is essential for the proper triage of patients with positive testing to either repeat testing or referral for colposcopy. The HPV vaccine prevents infection with hrHPV and holds promise to significantly reduce the future incidence of cervical cancer and other cancers caused by hrHPV in men and women. Significant disparities exist in the United States and worldwide in HPV vaccination rates, cervical cancer screening rates, and the evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of abnormal findings in women. These disparities continue to allow cervical cancer to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality for women worldwide. |
