Joann Lindenmayer, DVM, MPH is Chronic Disease Epidemiologist, Rhode Island Department of Health, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Community Health, Brown University School of Medicine. Objective The Rhode Island Department of Health assembled an Expert Panel on Cancer Screening to advise the Department on revising the State's current cancer control plan, published in 1989. After reviewing the current screening recommendations of national organizations and the most recent pertinent literature, the Panel proposed a recommendation for cervical cancer screening.
Methods Review current cervical cancer screening recommendations of national organizations.
Review the most recent literature pertinent to cervical cancer screening. Propose cervical cancer screening recommendations for the State's cancer control plan. Write a simple rationale for the proposed cervical cancer screening recommendations. Invite comments on the proposed recommendations and rationale. Pap smears should begin with the onset of sexual activity and should be repeated at least every 3 years.