Cervical cancer screening in Mediterranean countries: implications for the future

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Oncology
• Public Health

Background:

• The 35th European Congress of Cytology (ECC) highlighted varying cervical cancer screening strategies in Mediterranean nations.
• No participating country has a fully implemented national screening program, though all are developing them.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize key findings from a symposium on cervical cancer screening in Mediterranean countries.
• To discuss the impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination on future screening protocols.

Main Methods:

• Review of cervical cancer prevention strategies in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Turkey.
• Analysis of the evolving role of Pap smear screening in the context of HPV vaccination.

Main Results:

• Significant variability exists in current cervical cancer prevention approaches across Mediterranean countries.
• HPV vaccines offer potential for broad cancer prevention, necessitating modified screening strategies.
• New methods like HPV testing with cytology triage may supersede the Pap test.

Conclusions:

• Cervical cancer screening remains crucial alongside HPV vaccination, requiring cost-effective, integrated approaches.
• The Pap test's role may become secondary to HPV testing, with potential impacts on its performance.
• Clinical cytologists must ensure Pap test accuracy is maintained amidst changing screening landscapes.