Since the introduction of the primary screening tool, the Pap smear, there has been a significant decline in cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the last 30 years. Pap smears are able to detect pre-cancerous cervical lesions, thus making early treatment possible. Early treatment has better long-term outcomes for women than starting treatment only after disease symptoms appear. The guidelines are an update of those issued by an expert panel in 1994. This guide for physicians and policymakers includes recommendations for cervical cancer screening based on the latest evidence and also includes comparisons with other countries. Recommended recommendations: Women under 25 years of age (including sexually active women) do not need regular screening. Women should be screened regularly every three years from age 25 to 69 years. Women who are 70 years of age or older and have adequate screening (i.e., three consecutive negative Pap smear results in the previous 10 years) may discontinue screening. Women who are 69 years of age or older but have not been adequately screened (i.e., have not had three consecutive negative Pap smear results) need to continue screening. The frequency of screening should be matched to the woman’s risk prediction. For example, women with compromised immune systems need more frequent screening, whereas women who have had a total hysterectomy for a benign problem do not need further screening, and lesbians are screened as recommended above. Most countries, with the exception of North America, recommend screening at 3- to 5-year intervals. The U.S. panel recommends human papillomavirus (HPV) testing every 5 years for women who are 30 years of age or older, but this may result in more testing and overtreatment. A comparison of screening recommendations from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and the Netherlands is also included in the appendix of the guidelines. The authors also write, “Physicians should understand the importance, preferences, and thoughts of women about screening and discuss this in the context of clarifying the potential benefits and harms of the screening procedure.” The Canadian government does not offer HPV testing, and the new guidelines do not address it, Dickinson said, adding, “The panel believes it is premature to introduce HPV testing (alone or in conjunction with Pap smears) in screening. However, we will revisit this issue as soon as data in this area become available.” Dr. Janet Dollin (Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa) described the role of HPV testing in a related review In her opinion, HPV testing may have some advantages over Pap smears and the HPV vaccine can prevent cervical cancer. She also wrote, “Pap smears are only one of a growing number of cervical cancer prevention tools. Although it will take a long time to obtain evidence to drive changes to the relevant guidelines, we can still imagine a future in which cervical cancer can be prevented both by sexually transmitted viral infection and with better tools for less frequent screening.” In addition to the full guidelines, the panel’s website has 1 page of information and screening procedures for physicians and patients to download. The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Medical Care is an independent group of 14 primary prevention and health care experts founded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the experts aim to develop clinical practice guidelines to assist family physicians in providing preventive care to their patients.