Updates in Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines, The Bethesda System for Reporting Cervical Cytology, and Clinical Management Recommendations

J Clin Transl Pathol. 2023 Jun;3(2):75-83. doi: 10.14218/jctp.2023.00004. Epub 2023 Apr 21.

Abstract

Over the past decades, cervical cancer has been a worldwide public health problem. Population-based early cancer risk detection and prevention approaches, including vaccination, cytology screening and human papilloma virus (HPV) detection, with the aligned clinical management, have formed a well-rounded high-quality implementation system for cervical cancer control, and revolutionarily improved the quality of life of women: (1) the success of cervical cancer screening practices, (2) standardization of The Bethesda system for reporting cervicovaginal cytology, (3) improvement in the understanding of HPV pathogenesis in cervical cancer, and (4) the development of appropriate management approaches have significantly decreased the disease burden of cervical cancer worldwide. This scoping review aimed to understand the evolvement of cervical cancer screening and management guidelines, describe the Bethesda cervical cytology reporting system, and HPV vaccines and tests, and highlight the key information of present policies and practices.

Keywords: Bethesda cervical cytology reporting system; Cervical cancer management; Cervical cancer screening; HPV testing; HPV vaccine.