• Investigating the consequences of cervical cancer screening: a comprehensive review
  • Helia Abbasi,1 Fatemeh Afsharirad,2,*
    1. Bachelor student of Midwifery, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran
    2. Bachelor student of Midwifery, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran


  • Introduction: cervical cancer(CC) is still a major public health problem even if it is mostly preventable through effective screening strategies. Regular screening programs such as Pap smear and HPV testing, have been effective in identifying precancerous changes, reducing the occurrence of CC. The introduction of these screening programs has been the main reason for the significant reduction in mortality as well as the percentage of late-stage CC. However, even after the success of such initiatives, some problems, for instance, lack of access, low education, and irregular participation remain unsolved challenges for the prevention of the disease in the desired manner. The results of the study emphasize the importance of regular screening, especially in the underprivileged.
  • Methods: In this systematic review, the keywords of this study were searched in Sage Journal, SJR, and Pup-Med databases. All review and research articles reviewed are in English and have Q1 and Q2 ratings. In these articles, Case-control studies were carried out to determine the efficiency of screening programs by analyzing the data sourced from population-based cancer registries. Attendance for screening in defined intervals (e.g., every three or five years) was measured by comparing women diagnosed with CC to controls without the disease. The screening tests administered included Pap smears and a high-risk HPV test, and the adverse effect was measured by the duration of the protection after a negative test. Age, diversity of the courses of the disease at the time of diagnosis, and the frequency of the screens are also some of the variables discussed in the studies.
  • Results: The results Studies show that women who are screened every 2.5 years have a lower risk of CC than women who are rarely screened. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment are the reasons for the 83% decrease in non-localized (Stage II and after) CC, which guarantees the detection of lesions with a higher chance of cure. In these studies, one of the benefits obtained from frequent screenings with negative results is reducing the risk of CC.
  • Conclusion: Researches confirm that the best possible way to prevent CC is through screenings such as pap smears and HPV tests, and studies in this field show that routine screenings are the most tangible way to significantly reduce the incidence and severity of the disease. Regular participation in screening programs, and if possible, with vaccination of HPV too, would be the most important steps if we are willing to reach additional benefits. Activities for the extension of screening coverage, especially among the high-risk groups, must be carried out to maximize the potential benefits of these programs. Future work should focus on increasing access and encouraging adherence to screening guidelines for the sake of maintaining and improving these preventive outcomes.
  • Keywords: Cervical cancer prevention, Screening programs, HPV testing, Pap smear, Cancer incidence reduction