title: Human papillomavirus and Papanicolaou tests screening interval recommendations in the United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Guidelines recommend when the human papillomavirus (HPV) and Papanicolaou tests are used together (HPV co-test) for routine cervical cancer screening, screening intervals can be extended to 3 years. We assessed HPV test practices and Papanicolaou test screening interval recommendations of US providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a multistage probability design, we analyzed nationally representative data that were collected in 2006 through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 51% of providers ordered the HPV co-test; however, clinical vignettes found that <15% of providers who ordered the HPV test recommend the next Papanicolaou test in 3 years for women with concurrent normal HPV co-test results and a documented normal screening history.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, annual cervical cancer screening continues to be a common recommendation, regardless of whether a screening history has been established or an HPV test has been ordered.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Applied Research Branch, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. kroland@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Katherine B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Roland
authors.forename: Ashwini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soman
authors.forename: Vicki B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Benard
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saraiya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D014481:United States; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D014626:Vaginal Smears