Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines

Screening Recommendations

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends return to routine cervical cancer screening for women with a history of LSIL and high-risk HPV (non-16/18) who are now HPV negative, with cytology and HPV co-testing every 5 years as the preferred approach 1
An acceptable alternative to co-testing is cytology alone every 3 years for women who have resolved their LSIL and HPV infection 1
For women with LSIL who subsequently test negative for HPV, guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommend return to routine screening 2

The absence of HPV 16/18 in the original infection is favorable, as these types carry higher oncogenic potential than other high-risk HPV types, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends avoiding unnecessary colposcopy or excisional procedures in the absence of persistent HPV or cytologic abnormalities to prevent overtreatment 4
Women under 65 years of age with a history of abnormal findings should not discontinue screening, as recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1

Following a negative HPV test after previous LSIL, returning to routine screening is appropriate rather than shortened surveillance intervals, as recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2