Draft recommendations on cervical screening for HPV-vaccinated birth cohorts

Update Feb 2026: 

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) would like to thank all who participated in this public consultation on draft recommendations for the prevention of cervical cancer, focusing on the age when screening starts, and screening intervals among birth-cohorts vaccinated against HPV. We have reviewed the thoughtful comments and taken them into consideration in producing the final recommendations.

Details of the recommendations
The recommendations aim to adapt screening ages and schedules to the new reality where HPV-vaccination has significantly reduced cervical cancer risk. As a result, the updated screening schedules need to be considered that mitigate potential for unnecessary testing and treatment of screened individuals. The proposed changes aim to strike a balance between safety, effectiveness, and use of resources.
 

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