American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What is the recommended screening schedule for HPV testing in women aged 30 and older?

1. Every year

2. Every 2 years

3. Every 3 years

4. Every 5 years

The correct answer is: Every 5 years

The recommended screening schedule for HPV testing in women aged 30 and older is every 5 years. This recommendation is based on guidelines from major health organizations that advocate for cervical cancer screening strategies that prioritize both effectiveness and patient comfort. In this age group, it is effective to screen for HPV alone, which is a strong indicator of cervical cancer risk. When combined with Pap testing, co-testing can be done every 5 years, allowing for less frequent testing while still effectively monitoring for potential cervical changes that could lead to cancer. The interval of 5 years correlates with a balance of maintaining adequate screening to catch potential issues early while reducing the frequency of tests, aligning with the understanding that the risk of cervical cancer is lower in this demographic compared to younger women. This approach helps to enhance patient adherence to screening recommendations since it reduces the burden of annual or biennial visits that might deter women from regular health check-ups.