What should be done regarding cervical cancer screening for women aged 65 and older without risk factors?

For women aged 65 and older who have a history of adequate negative cervical cancer screenings, discontinuing cervical cancer screening is considered the appropriate approach if they do not have risk factors. The rationale is based on guidelines that indicate that women in this age group who have had regular screenings with consistent negative results, such as three consecutive Pap tests within the last ten years or two consecutive Pap and HPV co-tests within the last ten years, do not require further screening.

Continued testing at intervals like every 5 years, annually, or every 3 years is generally not recommended for this demographic, especially when they have shown no abnormalities in previous screenings and do not present specific risk factors for cervical cancer. Age alone, combined with a history of appropriate screening, provides sufficient reason to discontinue testing, thereby minimizing unnecessary procedures and associated anxiety for the patient.