As our coverage from the 2026 American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting continues, this video highlights a discussion of the latest cervical cancer screening guidelines, highlighting self-collection as an option.^1,2

Kimberly Gecsi, MD, Complex benign gynecologist; Chief medical officer, associate dean for Clinical Affairs, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Akiva Novetsky, MD, MS, gynecologic oncologist; Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Westchester Medical Center, joined Contemporary OB/GYN to break down these updates.

“From my perspective, I think there were 2 major updates in the cervical cancer screening, the first one being our recommendation [is] now that primary HPV is the preferred method compared to the other methods of testing,” said Novetsky.

“The second is the self-collection, whether it’s performed in the clinical setting or at home… and the recommendations for how to do that and what needs to be in place.”

READ MORE: Cervical cancer screening FAQs: Key updates from HRSA-supported guidelines³

In January 2026, the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Women’s Preventive Services Initiative released updated recommendations regarding cervical cancer screening, which were later, in April, endorsed by ACOG.⁴

“These recommendations now include the option for average-risk patients aged 30–65 years to collect their own samples for hrHPV primary screening every three years. Clinicians should only offer the patient-collected sampling option if patients prefer this method and if appropriate clinical infrastructure and oversight for notification, documentation, and referral for follow-up as indicated are in place,” according to the updated guidance.

In addition to including patient-collected hrHPV testing every three years as an option for patients aged 30–65 at average risk, the updated recommendations state that primary hrHPV testing every five years is preferred for patients aged 30–65. Recommendations for patients aged 21–29 years and for those over age 65 remain the same as in prior guidance.

Want to see more coverage from ACOG? Click here.

References:

1. Fitch J. HRSA updates cervical cancer screening guidelines. Contemporary OB/GYN. Published January 13, 2026. Accessed May 8, 2026. https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/hrsa-updates-cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines
2. Novetsky AP, Gecsi KS. The Latest and Greatest Guidance Updates. Session. Presented at: American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting. May 1-3, 2026. Washington, D.C.
3. Fitch J. Cervical cancer screening FAQs: Key updates from HRSA-supported guidelines. Contemporary OB/GYN. Published January 31, 2026. Accessed May 8, 2026. https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/cervical-cancer-screening-faqs-key-updates-from-hrsa-supported-guidelines
4. ACOG Publishes Updated Cervical Cancer Screening Guidance. American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. Published April 23, 2026. Accessed May 8, 2026. https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2026/04/acog-publishes-updated-cervical-cancer-screening-guidance