Adherence to National Guidelines on Cervical Screening: A Population-Based Evaluation from a Statewide Registry

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Public Health
• Oncology

Background:

• National guidelines recommend quinquennial human papillomavirus (HPV) and cytology co-testing or triennial cytology for women aged 30-64 years.
• Adherence to these screening intervals is crucial for effective cervical cancer prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate adherence to recommended cervical cancer screening intervals in New Mexico.
• To identify potential under- and over-screening patterns.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of state-wide surveillance data from New Mexico.
• Inclusion of women aged 30-64 years screened in 2019.
• Assessment of screening intervals based on human papillomavirus (HPV) and cytology co-testing and cytology alone.

Main Results:

• In 2019, 65.2% of women aged 30-64 had a negative co-test within the last 3 years.
• Only 12.7% of women underwent co-testing at the recommended interval.
• 27.7% of women underwent cytology at the recommended interval.
• Significant trends of both under-screening (prior negative co-test >5 years) and over-screening (prior negative cytology >5 years) were observed between 2013 and 2019.

Conclusions:

• Observed screening patterns in New Mexico deviate from national recommendations.
• Under- and over-screening may lead to increased cervical cancer incidence and associated harms and costs.
• Interventions are needed to improve adherence to recommended cervical cancer screening intervals.