New ACOG Cervical Cancer Guidelines and NE Interviews

New cervical cancer screening guidelines have been put forth by ACOG. Some highlights;

• Cervical cancer screening should begin at age 21 regardless of age at onset of sexual activity.
  
• Cervical cytology screening from age 21 to 29 is recommended every 2 years but should be more frequent in women who are HIV-positive, are immunosuppressed, were exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol, or have been treated for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2, 3 or cervical cancer.
  
• Women aged 30 or older who have three consecutive negative screens and who do not fit the above criteria for more-frequent screening may be tested every 3 years. Co-testing with cervical cytology and high-risk HPV typing is also appropriate; if both tests are negative, rescreening in 3 years is warranted.
  
• Cervical cancer screening is unnecessary in women who have undergone hysterectomies for benign disease and who have no histories of CIN.
  
• Discontinuation of screening after age 65 or 70 is reasonable in women with 3 or more negative consecutive tests and no cervical abnormalities during the previous decade.
  
• Women with histories of CIN 2, 3 or cancer should undergo annual screening for 20 years after treatment.
  
• HPV vaccination does not change these recommendations.

I'm publishing this post partially so I will remember these new guidelines as well.

Meanwhile, I'm having a lot of fun on the interview trail, even if it is somewhat exhausting. Walked around Rockefeller Center with some friends today, and it was nice that they came out, even if they were sick. About to watch a movie and eat Chinese take-out with old friends - it's nice to relieve college as an adult :-)