Tia Welsh, MD, emphasizes breakthroughs in screening cervical cancer

In a recent interview with Contemporary ob/gyn, TIA Welsh, MD, MPH, FACOG, Chairman of Women's Services at Valley Medical Group, emphasized the progress in screening cervical cancer that will improve the treatment methods.

These progress include primary HPV screening, with which providers can extend their reach by over 30% and offer self-collection in healthcare patients. Welsh also emphasized the clinical assay of BD recognized by the FDA, which includes an extended genotyping in order to further advance the screening of cervical cancer.

Contemporary OB/Gyn: What are some recent progress in screening cervical cancer?

Tia Welsh, MD, MPH, FACOG: Some of the recent progress in screening cervical cancer include extended genotyping and primary HPV screening.

Contemporary OB/Gyn: How will these changes improve treatment methods in patients with cervical cancer?

Welsh: Well, with primary HPV screening, we can access and improve our access to populations that have not yet been scrolled. We can extend our range by over 30%. The primary HPV screening can be carried out in clinic environments, and what this means can now be achieved with patients in the healthcare system, including mobile vans, including health trade fairs, with patients in health care and the population who have not yet been achieved.

Contemporary OB/Gyn: How did the guidelines for screening cervical cancer shift over time?

Welsh: We have seen a wide range of recommendations in recent years, from the 1970s to the recommendations we have now, and we have started cytology alone and then understood that HPV is a guilty.

Contemporary OB/Gyn: What are the advantages of self-collection compared to the in-clinic collection?

Welsh: Again, the self -collection enables the patient's autonomy to get a vaginal smear. Think of patients who may not be able to bring your legs into the dorsal lithotomy position because you may be disabled you may have. Think of our LGBTQ+ population we know and the patients with socio -economic disadvantages that do not mainly come to the office. Now we can expand our reach.

Contemporary OB/Gyn: Is there something you want to add?

Welsh: I just want to add that BD has expanded genotyping in its on clarity test and FDA has been approved for the self -collection, and this continues to promote the development of the screening of cervical cancer.

Disclosure: Smith+nephew, Inc.

Reference:

BD at ACOG. Vol. Access on May 16, 2025.