Preventing cervical cancer: the Pap test and the HPV vaccine.
Women look to their internists and other primary care physicians to provide preventive health care. Periodic Pap tests are as much a part of a woman's ongoing health care as periodic lipid assessments, mammograms, screening for colon cancer, or any of the other recommended screening assessments. This article provides primary care physicians with the information needed to perform Pap tests at the appropriate intervals, or if not set up to do Pap tests themselves, to make the appropriate referrals. Also provided is the necessary information to counsel women with abnormal Pap tests who may need colposcopy or other follow-up evaluation. Finally, the role of the HPV vaccine in the prevention of cervical cancer is summarized.
Waxman
Alan G
AG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, MSC 10 5580, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA. awaxman@salud.unm.edu
Zsemlye
Meggan M
MM
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines