Introduction
The intersection of the HIV epidemic and the burden of cervical cancer represents a significant challenge for global health. Women living with HIV (WLWH) face a disproportionately high risk of developing cervical cancer, often presenting at younger ages and experiencing more aggressive disease courses compared to their HIV-negative counterparts. This disparity is driven by the synergistic relationship between HIV-induced immunosuppression and persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes. To address these challenges, clinical guidelines must be rooted in robust, age-specific data that balance the benefits of early detection with the risks of over-medicalization. A seminal study published in Lancet HIV provides a comprehensive individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA) that clarifies the optimal timing and frequency for cervical screening and treatment follow-up in this high-risk population.
