Which statement about annual HPV screening in women aged 21-29 is true?

Which statement about annual HPV screening in women aged 21-29 is true?

• A. It reduces cancer incidence
• B. It has very little effect on cancer prevention and increases procedures
• C. It is recommended annually
• D. It is more cost-effective than cytology every 3 years

Answer: (B)

In this age group, many HPV infections are common and clear on their own, and progression to cancer takes years. Because of that, using an HPV test as the primary screening tool in women 21–29 doesn’t meaningfully reduce cervical cancer risk and instead increases follow-up procedures due to transient positive results. The recommended approach is cytology (Pap smear) every 3 years, which balances detection with minimizing unnecessary procedures and harms. So the statement that annual HPV screening has very little impact on cancer prevention and increases procedures aligns with how screening is actually guided for this age group.

In this age group, many HPV infections are common and clear on their own, and progression to cancer takes years. Because of that, using an HPV test as the primary screening tool in women 21–29 doesn’t meaningfully reduce cervical cancer risk and instead increases follow-up procedures due to transient positive results. The recommended approach is cytology (Pap smear) every 3 years, which balances detection with minimizing unnecessary procedures and harms. So the statement that annual HPV screening has very little impact on cancer prevention and increases procedures aligns with how screening is actually guided for this age group.