by Routine -zervical screening should be offered women aged 65 and over and an increased risk of cancer by human papilloma virus (HPV).
Although it was an avoidable disease, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were around 660,000 cases of cervical cancer in 2022 and 350,000 deaths worldwide.
HPV is responsible for about 95% of the cervical cancer, which occurs when abnormal cells develop and grow in the lining of the cervix and finally form a tumor.
Related: Every third in the whole of Great Britain is overdue for the screening of cervical cancer
The Global strategy of the WHO in cervical cancer says that all countries are 90% of women with the HPV vaccine by 2030, examine 70% of women and treat 90% of people with uterine ingis. The modeling indicates that this would prevent 62 -M deaths and a cumulative 74 -m case of cervical cancer until 2120.
The screening programs vary from country to country, but most of the guidelines recommend stopping the Cervical screening after 65 years if previous test results were normal.
However, the global cases of cervical cancer in people over 65 have increased: in 2022 there were 157,182 new cases worldwide and 124,269 deaths from the illness in women from 65 or older.
In the UK, the screening and vaccination rates are higher than in many other countries, but they have dropped in recent years. Cervical cancer leads to around 685 deaths per year in England alone.
Now a large-scale observation study published in clinical medicine in gynecology and obstetrics has found that older women have more often HPV infections and have abnormal cells in test results than younger women.
Between 2017 and 2023, the researchers in China analyzed the data for cervical cancer screening for more than 2 million women. Of the 2 million, 17,420 from 65 years. The rest was younger.
The study showed a stronger prevalence of HPV infections with high risk and abnormal cells in women aged 65 and over than in younger women. Almost 14% of the 65 and tested positive HPV infection types with high risk compared to 8% of younger people.
Older women were also more often infected with different types of HPV and have included abnormalities on screening.
While the restrictions on the study recognize, the results show that “women [aged 65 and above] are a high risk group for incidence and mortality in cervical cancer, which requires urgent attention worldwide through the countries, ”the authors conclude.
“Most of the guidelines indicate that screening is set for people with appropriate primary screening and without risk factors, especially for women under the age of 65,” they say. “However, the situation differs for over 65 years, which may not have been vaccinated or thoroughly examined. With increasing life expectancy, the risk of cervical cancer in this demography is significantly increased.”
In the response to the results, Athena Lamnisos, Managing Director of Eve Appeal Charity, said among people over the age of 65: “There is a largely non -vaccinated population who, if they have undermined or have never participated or have never participated in the screening, may still have a high risk of cervix cancer.”
“We would look at the National Screening Committee to check the results and check whether there would be advantages when checking the screening age.”
Maxine Lenza, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “The recent improvements to the test in Great Britain mean that this is an extremely effective way to prevent and save uterine cancer.
An NHS spokesman said: “The NHS Cervical -Scrreening program in England follows the expert recommendations for the age and frequency of screening by the British National Screening Committee, which are based on regular reviews of the best evidence worldwide.
“Women with an HPV-positive screening result at the age of 65 are invited to an additional screening to monitor their continuous risk, and we would encourage all women to take part in appointments if they are invited to ensure that they have the best protection against cervical cancer.”
A spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs said: “The age parlors of the screening are based on robust scientific evidence and an expert recommendation from the British National Screening Committee, but all women who are worried about their symptoms can speak to their family doctor who will decide the best procedure.
“It is important that we increase the number of women who accept their invitation to screening cervical cancer within the existing age group. As part of our 10-year health plan, those who are entitled to be convenient human papilloma virus self-exterior kits after the healthcare system if we are postponed from the treatment for presentation.”
