In our continuing efforts to engage women state legislators on HPV and cervical cancer policies, Women In Government would like to inform you of recent developments regarding the forthcoming U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on cervical cancer screening.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently published the analysis and evidence review documents that are being used to establish the recommendations for cervical cancer screening. The recommendations have not yet been published, but these documents provide an insight into the issues being considered by the Task Force. The recommendations will be published for public comment, and advocates, survivors, researchers, and clinicians are all working together to ensure that the Task Force will hear about the importance of access to effective cervical cancer screening technologies.
A primary concern is what the USPSTF will recommend regarding HPV co-testing and the use of liquid based Pap testing. The Task Force rated these tests “I” for insufficient evidence in 2003. However, all major medical societies recommend screening with these state of the art technologies. Under the Affordable Care Act, USPSTF A and B recommended screenings will be covered without cost sharing. Low-income women will bear the burden of a C recommendation.
Together the documents listed below comprise more than 300 pages. Many colleagues working in cervical cancer prevention are in the process of analyzing the documents. The evidence is framed in a manner that makes it unclear whether an A/B or C recommendation is likely.
Screening for Cervical Cancer: A Decision Analysis for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, prepared by the Duke and Minnesota Evidence-based Practice Centers http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf11/cervcancer/cervcan...
Screening for Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, prepared by the Oregon Evidence Based Practice Center. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf11/cervcancer/cervcan...
Please share this information as appropriate in your communities. Women In Government will continue to distribute updates on the process throughout the summer.
About Women In Government
Women In Government Foundation, Inc. is a national, non-profit, non-partisan organization of women state legislators providing leadership opportunities, networking, expert forums, and educational resources. Women In Government serves all 1,725 women who serve in state legislatures from across the country. For more information, visit www.womeningovernment.org.
