What additional screening method can be considered for women aged 25-29?

What additional screening method can be considered for women aged 25-29?

• A. hrHPV testing
• B. Pap smear only
• C. Cotesting
• D. Vaccination counseling

Answer: (A)

In this age range, cervical cancer screening balances detecting real precancer while avoiding overdiagnosis from transient HPV infections that are common in young sexually active people. Pap cytology alone is the standard screening method for women in their 25s and 30s, but some settings may consider adding high‑risk HPV testing as an extra screening step to increase sensitivity for identifying those at risk for cervical neoplasia. This can be helpful when there are particular concerns or when results are unclear and closer follow-up is warranted. However, routine cotesting (HPV plus Pap) is not universally recommended for this age group, and vaccination counseling is not a screening test. Therefore, adding hrHPV testing as an additional method is the option that can be considered in this context.

In this age range, cervical cancer screening balances detecting real precancer while avoiding overdiagnosis from transient HPV infections that are common in young sexually active people. Pap cytology alone is the standard screening method for women in their 25s and 30s, but some settings may consider adding high‑risk HPV testing as an extra screening step to increase sensitivity for identifying those at risk for cervical neoplasia. This can be helpful when there are particular concerns or when results are unclear and closer follow-up is warranted. However, routine cotesting (HPV plus Pap) is not universally recommended for this age group, and vaccination counseling is not a screening test. Therefore, adding hrHPV testing as an additional method is the option that can be considered in this context.