At what age should cervical cancer screening generally be ceased if there is no history of CIN 2/3?

Cervical cancer screening can generally be ceased at the age of 65 for women who have had adequate screening in the past and have no history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3, which indicates a higher risk for cervical cancer. The rationale behind this guideline is grounded in the understanding of the natural history of cervical cancer and the effectiveness of prior screening.

Women over 65 who have continued to have normal Pap tests, or negative HPV tests, typically remain at low risk for cervical cancer. Hence, the benefits of continued screening diminish at this age, especially considering that older women may have limited life expectancy or may not develop cervical cancer due to the long latency period associated with the disease.

While cervical cancer screening can be continued up to older ages for women with abnormal histories or other risk factors, for those without a significant history and having had adequate screening with negative results, 65 years is an appropriate age to cease regular screenings. This aligns with clinical guidelines from organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and other health bodies.