J Gynecol Oncol.  2015 Jul;26(3):232-239. 10.3802/jgo.2015.26.3.232.

The Korean guideline for cervical cancer screening

• Min KJ
• Lee YJ
• Suh M
• Yoo CW
• Lim MC
• Choi J
• Ki M
• Kim YM
• Kim JW
• Kim JH
• Park EW
• Lee HY
• Lim SC
• Cho CH
• Hong SR
• Dang JY
• Kim SY
• Kim Y
• Lee WC
• Lee JK

• KMID: 2160811
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3802/jgo.2015.26.3.232

Abstract

The incidence rate of cervical cancer in Korea is still higher than in other developed countries, notwithstanding the national mass-screening program. Furthermore, a new method has been introduced in cervical cancer screening. Therefore, the committee for cervical cancer screening in Korea updated the recommendation statement established in 2002. The new version of the guideline was developed by the committee using evidence-based methods. The committee reviewed the evidence for the benefits and harms of the Papanicolaou test, liquid-based cytology, and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, and reached conclusions after deliberation. The committee recommends screening for cervical cancer with cytology (Papanicolaou test or liquid-based cytology) every three years in women older than 20 years of age (recommendation A). The cervical cytology combined with HPV test is optionally recommended after taking into consideration individual risk or preference (recommendation C). The current evidence for primary HPV screening is insufficient to assess the benefits and harms of cervical cancer screening (recommendation I). Cervical cancer screening can be terminated at the age of 74 years if more than three consecutive negative cytology reports have been confirmed within 10 years (recommendation D).

Keyword

Mass Screening; Papanicolaou Test; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

MeSH Terms

Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Early Detection of Cancer/adverse effects/*methods/standards
Evidence-Based Medicine
False Positive Reactions
Female
Humans
Hysterectomy
Middle Aged
Papillomavirus Infections/diagnosis
Papillomavirus Vaccines
Patient Selection
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic/diagnosis
Republic of Korea
Review Literature as Topic
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/*diagnosis
Vaginal Smears/adverse effects/methods/standards
Young Adult
Papillomavirus Vaccines

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Framework of developing a guideline for cervical cancer screening. ① Benefits of pap test screening, ② harms of pap test screening, ③ accuracy and harm of liquid based cytology (LBC), ④ benefits of human papillomavirus (HPV) primary test or cotest, ⑤ harms of HPV primary test or cotest, ⑥ target age and interval of cervical cancer screening, and ⑦ specific population group for cervical cancer.

• 

  Fig. 2 Flow of guideline searching.

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