[Pap Smear after 65 years]

Abstract

The French recommendations (in favor of stopping cervical cancer screening by cervico-uterine smear from 65 years of age) are logical in the context of organized screening; however, it is not yet generalized in France. The proportion of invasive cervical cancer in the oldest patients is high and these cancers are more evolved and have a more pejorative prognosis. The prevalent infection with high-risk HPV virus remains important in elderly patients: if the HPV infection does not appear to be more risky in the elderly, HPV-induced lesions appear to be more evolving. Unfortunately, pap smear coverage rates are low in the most advanced age groups. Patients without adequate follow-up are exposed to invasive cancer after age 65: all studies insist on the protective effect of two or more normal pap smears between 50 and 65 years that would allow to stop screening. Recent publications in Europe insist, however, on the value of continuing screening beyond the age of 65 in populations that live longer. For the clinician, in France, patients who could benefit from systematic FCU after age 65 could be those: (1) who request it, (2) who have an HPV history, (3) who have not had more than 3 consecutive normal pap smears or (4) who have an associated pathogenic condition. The place of the HPV test deserves to be considered: because of its very high negative predictive value, it could be performed as an exit test or as an alternative test to the pap smear.

Keywords: Cancer du col utérin; Cervical cancer; Dépistage; Elderly woman; Femme âgée; Frottis cervico-utérin; Human papillomavirus; Pap smear; Screening.