Question: I’m a provider and am aware that there have been new developments in cervical cancer screening technologies. How do the updated guidelines take these developments into account, and how do they affect my practice? Dr. Michael Policar responds:  Since the publication of the chapter on Screening for Cervical, Ovarian, and Breast Cancer in Contraceptive Technology (22nd edition), there have been four new developments in cervical cancer screening, moving us closer to personalized management… As a clinician, you need to be aware of the updates in national guidelines, and in some cases, utilize these new technologies, depending on the logistics of cervical cancer screening in your practice. 

Clinicians and health educators may encounter patient concerns stemming from recent media coverage and legal actions regarding Depo-Provera and its potential link to meningiomas. This resource provides evidence-based responses to frequently asked questions, helping you guide informed, reassuring conversations. Use this guide, developed by Contraceptive Technology editor Alison Edelman, MD, MPH, to support patient-centered decision-making and address misconceptions with clarity and clinical confidence.

New to this Contraceptive Technology website are the clinical tools for family planning providers developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Contraceptive Technology Editors hope to allow providers continued access to the evidence-based, immensely practical U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria and Selected Practice Recommendations, especially in the event that political pressures cause them to be modified or removed from the CDC website. We present them here without censorship, leaving intact their scientific integrity, respect for all patients’ needs, and promotion of patients’ open access to contraceptive methods, education, and counseling. In providing these materials, the Editors do not suggest any CDC endorsement of the Contraceptive Technology books, website, or webinars. The recommendations are intended to serve as a source of evidence-based clinical practice guidance for health care providers and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice for individual patients.