BACKGROUND: One third of cervical cancers are discovered after age 65. French guidelines allow women to cease having cervical pap smears at age 65, providing they have had a minimum of two consecutive negative smears. AIM: To study the frequency of pathological smears in the group of women aged over 65 with a normal and sufficient cytological follow-up, according to the guidelines. To analyze the smear results and the former follow-up of this population to determine whether there is an interest to continue the smear screening after age 65. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter study based on collecting data from three pathology laboratories of the region Rhone-Alpes. We study a population of women 65 and older with smears that have been made between 2004 and 2008. RESULTS: Precancerous lesions and cervical cancer can be discovered after age 65 despite an adequate former follow-up. The rate of these women for having a pathological smear is 14,2‰, including 1,2‰ with cytological abnormalities in favour of cancer. CONCLUSION: These results show that there is interest to continue the smear tests after age 65 at least, while considering medical and financial issues of a reasonable screening strategy.
BACKGROUND: One third of cervical cancers are discovered after age 65. French guidelines allow women to cease having cervical pap smears at age 65, providing they have had a minimum of two consecutive negative smears. AIM: To study the frequency of pathological smears in the group of women aged over 65 with a normal and sufficient cytological follow-up, according to the guidelines. To analyze the smear results and the former follow-up of this population to determine whether there is an interest to continue the smear screening after age 65. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter study based on collecting data from three pathology laboratories of the region Rhone-Alpes. We study a population of women 65 and older with smears that have been made between 2004 and 2008. RESULTS:Precancerous lesions and cervical cancer can be discovered after age 65 despite an adequate former follow-up. The rate of these women for having a pathological smear is 14,2‰, including 1,2‰ with cytological abnormalities in favour of cancer. CONCLUSION: These results show that there is interest to continue the smear tests after age 65 at least, while considering medical and financial issues of a reasonable screening strategy.