Concerns Over Impending Alterations in US Cervical Screening Policies: Is Less Frequent Screening Less Safe?

Several revisions in national cervical screening guidelines have been lately introduced worldwide, supported by accumulating evidence from meta-analyses and robust epidemiological studies. Pre-announced changes in US cervical screening policies are being eagerly anticipated, because of their global impact. We argue against the impending change in US cervical screening policy that will introduce increased intervals between consecutive rounds of cervical screening. Such a shift might decrease the level of protection against cervical pre-cancer achieved by current screening strategies, and it will influence cervical screening policies worldwide.