Assessing Vaccine Impact on Cervical Cancer Screening and Sexual Behaviors

The potential impact of the HPV vaccine on behavioral outcomes such as cancer screening practices (by providers and patients) and possible changes in sexual practices is important and will require use of behavioral surveillance systems. Major, federally-funded behavioral surveillance systems in the United States for monitoring cervical HPV infection and cancer will be discussed. Specific projects for monitoring potential changes in cervical cancer screening and sexual behavior will be presented. Behavioral surveillance as it relates to public health purposes, and key cervical cancer prevention and control behaviors will be defined.