Cervical cancer screening of women attending sexually transmitted disease clinics

Prevention programs at clinics for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have traditionally focused on reducing the spread of STDs through prompt diagnosis and treatment of infections and through notification and treatment of sex partners. For women the clinic examination also offers an opportunity to prevent cervical cancer, a sequela of STDs. Women who have had STDs are at increased risk for cervical cancer, and women who seek health care at public clinics frequently have additional characteristics that place them at risk for not having had a recent Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. Despite the opportunity for cervical cancer screening that is afforded by a visit to an STD clinic, in most public clinics a Pap smear is not part of the routine examination of women. This report summarizes the evidence supporting cervical cancer screening for women with STDs (particularly women attending STD clinics) and addresses the advantages, disadvantages, and net yield of previous screening programs at STD clinics.