At what age can cervical cancer screening stop for average-risk patients?

• A. 70
• B. 65 - if prior screening is adequate and the patient is not high-risk
• C. 50
• D. 60

Answer: (B)

Stop screening at age 65 for average‑risk individuals who have had adequate prior screening and no history of CIN2 or higher. The benefit of continuing routine screening drops after this point when prior results have been consistently negative, while the potential harms of testing and procedures increase with age. Adequate prior screening means either three consecutive negative cytology tests or two consecutive negative co-tests (cytology with HPV testing) in the last 10 years, with the most recent test within the past 5 years. If those conditions are met and there are no high‑risk factors, ending screening at 65 is appropriate. If there’s a history of high-grade cervical disease or persistent HPV infection, or if the cervix has been removed, follow-up guidelines differ.