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RESEARCH: Matejka Rebolj, Marjolein van Ballegooijen, Elsebeth Lynge, Caspar Looman, Marie-Louise Essink-Bot, Rob Boer, and Dik Habbema Incidence of cervical cancer after several negative smear results by age 50: prospective observational study BMJ 2009; 338: b1354 [Abstract] [Full text]

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Age is not a limiting factor for Cervical Cancer Screening

Dr Radhika Thangavelu   (25 April 2009)

The age factor

Dr Rajasree Pai   (28 April 2009)

Age is not a limiting factor for Cervical Cancer Screening 25 April 2009
Dr Radhika Thangavelu, SSHO Royal Oldham Hospital, Oldham, Manchester Send response to journal: Re: Age is not a limiting factor for Cervical Cancer Screening	Dear Sir, This Research article is quite interesting in view of the fact that even after 3 negative screening tests still the risk of cervical cancer is high and age beyond 50 has equivalent risk as young women. The recent celebrity demise has made many common people realise about the importance of regular and early cancer screening.Nevertheless incidence of cervical cancer is high due to screening and awareness. While reading in depth about pathophysiology of cervical cancer one would understand that dysplasia could occur due to mulltiple factors which is a harbinger to metaplasia and then to neoplasia.New treatment strategies coupled with government inteventions should improve cancer survival and to aim for better life. Thank you. Competing interests: None declared
The age factor 28 April 2009
Dr Rajasree Pai, Resident University of Connecticut Send response to journal: Re: The age factor	It is not yet clear from the article whether serial screening with pap smear is beneficial or not as older women tend to have undergone longer periods of screening. The age factor is a crucial issue in cervical cancer as some studies point towards active sexual life and contraceptive pills as risk factors. Competing interests: None declared