Cervical Cancer Screening in the HPV-Vaccinated and Digital Era: Reassessing Strategies in Light of Artificial Intelligence and Evolving Risk.

Background

The widespread use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the rise in digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are causing significant changes in the paradigms surrounding cervical cancer screening.

Objective

This review addresses potential future paths toward risk-based, customized screening and prevention while summarizing the available data on how vaccination and digital innovation are changing cervical cancer screening methods.

Results

A shift from cytology-based screening to HPV-based primary testing with longer intervals has been supported by the notable decrease in high-grade cervical lesions brought about by HPV vaccination. However, AI and digital health tools, such as digital colposcopy, automated cytology, telemedicine, and self-sampling, have the potential to increase diagnostic access, accuracy, and efficiency, especially in low-resource environments. Implementation hurdles, data security, and algorithmic bias are major obstacles.

Conclusions

Digital platforms, molecular diagnostics, and vaccination histories must all be incorporated into screening methods in order to keep up with the decline in HPV-related illness. The elimination of cervical cancer could be accelerated and equality and efficiency increased with customized, risk-based algorithms.