In 1998, an estimated 13,700 women developed invasive cervical cancer, and about 4,900 women died from the disease. More than 25 percent of invasive cervical cancer cases occur in women older than 65, and 40-50 percent of all women who die from cervical cancer are over the age of 65 years. The Pap test, while key in decreasing cervical cancer in women, is not as accurate in its diagnosis of disease as previously believed. Based on the most reliable studies, a single Pap test may miss abnormal cells in nearly half of the women who have abnormal cell growth. Available data on the accuracy of the three technologies studied fail to describe reliable estimates for reducing false positives.
Evidence related to the accuracy of the newer technologies is incomplete.
When initial and rescreening intervals are lengthened to every 3 years or greater, the new technologies were more cost-effective than the traditional Pap test. These longer screening intervals result in lowering the costs per year of life saved. It is encouraging to see the development of new technologies that may improve identification of cervical cancers. We need more complete information about the performance of new technologies in order to make informed recommendations about their use in general settings. The reports will also address, where appropriate, the use of alternative or complementary therapies, and specific medical procedures or health care technologies.