In addition to healthcare and health economics aspects, new knowledge concerning the benefits and harms of various cervical cancer screening methods makes a reassessment of cervical cancer screening appear desirable.
- Until now, opportunistic screening that is primarily based on cytology exists in Switzerland.
- Opportunistic screening causes healthcare and health economics issues. On one hand, availability for certain vulnerable population groups is not guaranteed. On the other hand, there is a risk of oversupply for other population groups.
- There are new test methods for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (hrHPV) that are proposed for cervical cancer screening – which could be used instead of the “Pap smear” cytology assessment.
- In 2018, the USPSTF examined evidence in order to compare the benefits and harms of various cancer screening procedures – and then issued recommendations.
- In March 2018, the Swiss Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (SGGG) issued new recommendations on cervical cancer screening. However, these are not supported by all gynecologists.