Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jun 05, 2025

Cancer Society responds amid NHI’s changes to screenings policy

Cancer Society responds amid NHI’s changes to screenings policy

With the National Health Insurance (NHI) announcing that it will be making some amendments to its coverage of cervical cancer screening, the BVI Cancer Society has said although they were initially sceptical about the decision, further checks have proven that the new policy is in line with the best international practices for the procedure.
In a press release dated June 30, the NHI noted that effective August 1, 2022, the new protocols regarding routine cervical cancer screenings would take effect.

“The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has restructured their recommendations regarding routine cervical cancer screenings,” the press release said. “Accordingly, NHI will be amending their benefits package to institute the following guidelines: Routine Pap Smear Screening every three years [and] HPV Testing every five years.”

The NHI said although it will be implementing these guidelines, there will be special considerations for individuals at risk for developing cervical cancer.

“This includes those diagnosed as having a high-grade precancerous cervical lesion and those with compromised immune systems,” NHI said.

In an invited comment to BVI News, the Cancer Society said they received concerns from many people regarding the change in policy.

“As one of the main cancer advocacy groups in the territory, we appreciate that there were concerns about the announcement. The BVI Cancer Society understands that the NHI’s announced cervical cancer screening guideline is in line with international medical best practices. This is in regard to the gynaecological recommendation that a Pap smear should be performed every three years if the patients’ previous tests were normal,” the Cancer Society said.

According to the USPSTF Recommendations which NHI released with the press release, women aged 21 and less, women over 65 and women who had a hysterectomy with the removal of the cervix were issued a Grade D recommendation; meaning the USPSTF recommends against the service. This indicates there is a high certainty that the service has no benefit or that the harm outweighs the benefits.
Meanwhile, women between the ages of 21 and 29 were issued a Grade A recommendation which means the USPSTF recommends the service and noted the net benefit is substantial. Women who fall within this age range are recommended to have cytology done every three years.

Additionally, women who are between the ages of 30 to 65 are also given the Grade A recommendation and it is advised that they do one of three screenings. They are advised to do a cytology every three years, a FDA (US, Food and Drug Administration)-approved primary hrHPV (high-risk human papillomavirus testing) or contesting (hrHPV testing and cytology) every five years.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
Hungary Partners with China to Boost Electric Vehicle Production
‘Vibe Coding’ Emerges as the New DIY Trend
AI Pioneer Yoshua Bengio Warns Models Can Deceive Users
Big Four Firms Rush to Create AI Auditing Systems
Musk’s xAI Pursues $113 Billion Valuation in New Share Sale
Walmart Increases Revenue Despite Shrinking Workforce
Hims & Hers Plans UK and EU Launch of Replica Obesity Drugs
Toyota to Acquire Supplier in $33 Billion Buyout
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
×