Although the Pap smear, HPV vaccination, and HPV testing serve as key measures for maintaining cervical health, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has lately revised its guidelines for preventing cervical cancer by prioritizing primary HPV testing in screening protocols. This research explores healthcare professionals' opinions on these revisions and assesses how effectively they have influenced women in the United States. Findings are drawn from an original dual-survey analysis involving women's health clinicians (N = 558) and a diverse group of White, Black, and Hispanic females (N = 1900). Results indicate that only a small proportion of clinicians (18%, CI = 14%, 21%) consider standalone HPV testing sufficient for screening cervical cancer, whereas nearly all (96%, CI = 94%, 97%) believe patients ought to undergo routine combined Pap and HPV examinations. Rates of Pap smear uptake are lower among Black women (88%, CI = 86%, 91%) and Hispanic women (87%, CI = 84%, 89%) relative to White women (94%, CI = 92%, 96%). Just 35% (CI = 33%, 37%) of participants report ever receiving an HPV test, with comparable figures across racial/ethnic groups. Provider suggestions for combined Pap-HPV testing show similar levels for White (29%, CI = 25%, 33%) and Hispanic women (26%, CI = 23%, 29%), but significantly reduced rates for Black women (22%, CI = 18%, 25%). These trends remain significant even after adjusting for key sociodemographic factors via logistic regression analyses. Persistently reduced Pap smear utilization among Black and Hispanic women, alongside limited HPV testing overall, may impede progress in lowering cervical cancer rates and deaths, especially affecting Hispanic and Black populations disproportionately.
