Updated Risk-Based Guidelines Now Published for Management of Abnormal Results in Cervical Cancer Screening and Colposcopy

By Robert Goulart, MD, MASCP

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) recently published the 2019 revisions to the risk-based guidelines for management of abnormal cervical cancer screening tests and colposcopic biopsy results. The multiple manuscripts, which include a detailed discussion of the overall process, supportive documentation and varied related topics have been published in the Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease, Volume 24, Number 2, April 2020. This comprehensive, year-long process included expert participation from over twenty medical specialty societies involved in cervical cancer screening, cytopathology and laboratory medicine oversight and interpretation of screening tests (such as Pap tests and HPV testing), and the clinical management of cancer and its pre-cancerous lesions. In addition, representatives of patient advocacy groups and public members were included to ensure that all aspects (both scientific and social) were considered for the most appropriate patient care.

Goals of the new guidelines included greater clarity and simplicity. The risk data base upon which the guidelines are based will be continuously updated, allowing for the incorporation of new technological advances and cervical screening methods.

The ASCP sponsored two cytopathologist member representatives, Robert Goulart, MD, MASCP and Carol Eisenhut, MD, FASCP, who worked beside colleague cytopathologists representing the society members of the Cytopathology Education and Technology Consortium (CETC). Cytopathologists were well-represented and vocal in the discussions and voting throughout this consensus process, as approximately 25% of the physician voting members were pathologists.

What Will the Updates Mean to The Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Community?

To help address your questions, the CETC members will soon publish an article in the Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology which will focus on the cytopathology, surgical pathology and laboratory testing aspects and implications of the revised guidelines. Stay tuned - more to follow.

 

Other articles in the May 2020 ePolicy News:

• New Law Includes Funding for COVID-19 Testing, ASCP Recommendations for Testing Strategy
• ASCP Urges Creation of National COVID-19 Testing Task Force
• AMA Endorses ASCP’s Call for a National Testing Strategy
• Governors, State Health Directors Hear from ASCP BOC about COVID-19 Response
• ASCP, FDA Share Similar Concerns on Antigen Testing
• Hazard Pay, Mental Health Benefits Sought for Pathologists, Laboratory Professionals
• ASCP Interviewed about Job Satisfaction, Well-Being of Pathologists
• CMS Urged to Consider Specialists When Implementing MIPS Value Pathways

To read more articles from ePolicy News click here.

For more information regarding ASCP's advocacy initiatives and policy positions, please contact ASCP's Center for Public Policy at (202) 408-1110.

 

 

ASCP ePolicy News is supported by an unrestricted grant from Hologic.