The woman in the target group
The Department of Health (DOH) encourages cervical cancer screening for women aged 30 to 65 using HPV DNA testing, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), or Pap smear. Its earlier VIA program targeted women aged 25 to 55. Eligibility is set by age. The 52-year-old woman who has never been screened falls within both of these age groups. She belongs to the target group for screening and should be offered it today.
Why age, not risk factors, sets eligibility
Cervical cancer develops slowly from persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). In young women, HPV infection is very common but usually clears on its own, and screening them leads to many findings that would resolve without treatment. Screening programs therefore start at an age when persistent infection and precancerous lesions become more likely. Early sexual debut and multiple partners increase the risk of HPV infection, but they do not lower the DOH starting age for screening.
Why the other women are not the target
| Woman | Reason |
|---|
| 23 years, sexually active since 14 | Below the DOH target age; early debut raises risk but does not change eligibility |
| 24 years, three partners | Below the DOH target age; multiple partners raise risk but do not change eligibility |
| 67 years, earlier results normal | Past the DOH target age; with earlier normal results, screening is not continued |
| 52 years, never screened | Within the target age group |
Watch out! Risk-factor options can look attractive because they describe women at higher risk of HPV infection. The question asks who belongs to the DOH target group, which is defined by age. The young women still benefit from counseling on HPV vaccination, condom use, and sexually transmitted infection care, and they can be screened once they reach the target age.
A never-screened woman is a priority
Women who have never been screened account for a large share of cervical cancer cases, because their lesions have had no chance of early detection. Reaching a never-screened woman in her fifties is therefore one of the most valuable outcomes of a women's health day. The nurse explains the test, obtains consent, and ensures that any positive result is followed up promptly, ideally with screen-and-treat where available.
Exam takeaway
DOH cervical cancer screening is targeted by age, currently encouraged for women aged 30 to 65. Key point! Risk factors guide counseling and prevention, but age determines eligibility for the screening program.