Gynaecological Cancer Diagnosis: Improve Accuracy
- Experts are urging a more targeted approach to gynecologic cancer screening, emphasizing that the goal is to maximize benefits while minimizing unnecessary and potentially harmful interventions.
- Louise De Brot, a pathologist in São Paulo, Brazil, cautioned that routine procedures like ultrasounds can sometiems lead to unnecessary hysteroscopies and biopsies, causing both physical and psychological...
- Eduardo Batista Cândido, president of the National Specialized Commission on Gynecologic Oncology of FEBRASGO, the real challenge lies in applying cancer screening to the populations that will truly...
Prioritize informed choices in gynecologic cancer screening to optimize health outcomes. News Directory 3 reports experts are advocating for targeted strategies, focusing on cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.This approach aims to maximize benefits while minimizing interventions through quaternary prevention. Healthcare professionals are navigating the delicate balance between early detection and potential harms. Current guidelines for cervical cancer screening emphasize specific age groups and the use of oncotic cytology and HPV DNA testing. Understanding your risks and the limitations of routine testing is key. Discovering the right approach is crucial to improve accuracy and reduce unnecessary procedures. What new advancements are on the horizon?
Gynecologic Cancer Screening: Balancing Benefits and Risks
Updated May 29, 2025
Experts are urging a more targeted approach to gynecologic cancer screening, emphasizing that the goal is to maximize benefits while minimizing unnecessary and potentially harmful interventions. This strategy, known as quaternary prevention, is particularly relevant for cervical cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer.
Dr. Louise De Brot, a pathologist in São Paulo, Brazil, cautioned that routine procedures like ultrasounds can sometiems lead to unnecessary hysteroscopies and biopsies, causing both physical and psychological distress. She stressed that effective prevention doesn’t always require more clinical tests.
According to Dr. Eduardo Batista Cândido, president of the National Specialized Commission on Gynecologic Oncology of FEBRASGO, the real challenge lies in applying cancer screening to the populations that will truly benefit. He noted that less experienced doctors may be more likely to order unnecessary tests, which can increase costs for patients.
Current guidelines recommend cervical cancer screening using oncotic cytology for women aged 25-64 who are sexually active. After two normal results, screening can be repeated every three years. The human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test, which identifies viral subtypes 16 and 18, is also used and can be performed every five years.
Dr. Andréia Gadelha,a clinical oncologist and president of the Brazilian Group of Gynaecological Tumours,emphasized the importance of close monitoring for patients who test positive for HPV. She also noted that continuing screening in older patients may not always be beneficial.
For ovarian and endometrial cancers, routine screening is not recommended for asymptomatic women without a family history of the disease. Dr. Cândido stated that imaging tests are not effective screening tools in these cases but can be valuable diagnostic aids when symptoms are present.
“The real challenge is applying screening to the population that will actually benefit from it,” said Dr. eduardo Batista Cândido.
Gadelha added that further investigation is warranted in cases involving complex masses, abnormal vascularisation, persistent bleeding, or elevated biomarkers. She reinforced that clinical practice must be based on updated evidence and recommendations.
What’s next
Experts advocate for clinical practice grounded in current evidence, emphasizing the selection of patients with relevant risk factors and avoiding screening in low-risk populations to ensure early detection improves prognosis without causing undue harm.