Cervical cancer screening may affect chlamydia screening rate, survey finds

A study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology has determined that the average rate of cervical cancer screening among U.S. women may affect that of chlamydia screening.

The research was spurred by an announcement in the 2009 bulletin of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which recommended that women should be screened for cervical cancer every other year rather than annually.

Those conducting the study examined the medical records of over 700,000 sexually active females aged 15 to 25, in order to determine if the reduction might cause a similar drop in chlamydia screening, which is currently recommended yearly.

They found that chlamydia screening rates were almost five times higher for those also screened for cervical cancer. Almost 44 percent of the young women screened for cancer were tested for chlamydia, too, compared to 9.5 percent tested for chlamydia alone.

The researchers conclude that physicians and sexually active adults should constantly be aware of potential opportunities for sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing. Those concerned that they have contracted chlamydia or any other STD may consider looking into online testing services in order to determine the state of their sexual health.

An estimated 19 million new sexually transmitted infections occur every year in the U.S., according to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.