Cervical cancer screening for women over 65
Cervical cancer screening after age 65 in the era of HPV testing: estimating benefits and harms of screening cessation and continuation
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11146637
This project looks at whether women over 65 who have been regularly screened should continue cervical cancer screening by balancing possible benefits and harms.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11146637 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my point of view, this work compares continuing versus stopping cervical cancer screening after age 65 to see what happens to cancer rates and to harms from follow-up care. The team will use health data and modelling to estimate how many cancers and deaths could be prevented and how many extra procedures or complications might result. They will factor in prior screening history, life expectancy, and risks from diagnostic or surgical follow-up to identify which groups of older women may gain or lose from continued screening. The aim is to give clearer, personalized guidance for older women and their doctors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women aged 65 and older who have a history of regular cervical cancer screening and are weighing whether to continue screening are the most relevant group.
Not a fit: Women who have had their cervix removed (total hysterectomy), those with very limited life expectancy, or people under 65 are unlikely to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help update screening guidance so older women get care matched to their health and life expectancy, reducing missed cancers and unnecessary procedures.
How similar studies have performed: Past studies and guideline decisions established the age-65 cutoff but provide limited evidence for today's older adults, so this project builds on existing work to fill that gap.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SAWAYA, GEORGE F — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: SAWAYA, GEORGE F
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: American Cancer Society