Jin - Figure 5 - Changes in Screening Practice

In the last several years, cervical cancer screening practice has been changing. Why?

Cytology: The Pap test has limitations. It is not a good test by itself, because many studies have shown that the sensitivity of a conventional Pap test is only about 50%, although the specificity is still very high, about 98%.
We also have a liquid-based cytology test which improves sensitivity over conventional Pap, but will still miss anywhere from 15%-35% according to analyses published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Repeating Pap testing 2-3 times yearly can achieve about 88% sensitivity while compensating for the low sensitivity of the Pap test.

References

[42] Nanda K. et al. Ann Intern Med, 2000; 132:810-819

[43] ACOG Practice Bulletin 61. 2005;61:3

[44] Evaluation of Cervical Cytology. Summary, Evidence Report/Technology Assessment: Number 5, January 1999.

[45] Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Rockville, MD.
Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/cervsumm.htm