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Most Women Will Have a Pap Smear Every Year
Is the Annual Pap Smear a Necessity
Such practice has become ingrained in the hearts and minds of young women from an early age. New studies however suggest that a majority of women over the age of 30 who have had at least three consecutive negative Pap smears may safely forgo annual Pap smears however.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology have recently published guidelines suggesting that Pap smears may only be necessary in intervals of three years for women over the age of 30 who have not had a positive test in three consecutive years.
The Skinny on Cancer
Why the change? Pap smears have been used as the primary cancer detection tool within the United States for several years. Though many physicians are reluctant to stop screening women on an annual basis, there is evidence to suggest that such screenings may not be necessary.
A study published by the New England Journal of Medicine of more than 32,000 women between the ages of 30 and 64 shows that during a three year follow up, no cervical cancers were detected in women who had had at minimum three consecutive normal Pap smears in the preceding years.
The study suggests that at most between one and three additional cancers might be identified per 100,000 women annually when compared with screenings every three years.
What You Should do to Protect Your Health
The American Cancer Society believes there is adequate evidence to suggest that annual Pap smears are unnecessary for women in the above 30 age category with a history of negative smears. Their guidelines in general suggest that the following criteria be met:
- All women have annual Pap smears beginning no later than 21 years of age, or no later than three years after the first sexual relationship.
- At age 30, women with a history of three consecutive normal pap smears can have Pap screenings every two to three years.
- Women with risk factors including a weakened immune system should still have annual Pap smears regardless of age.
- Women with a history of HPV infection should have annual Pap smears, as HPV is a known cause of cervical cancer.
- Physicians are concerned that a reduction in the requirement for Pap smears will inhibit the likelihood that women will continue to receive annual gynecological exams, still an important component to ones overall health and well being.
Allowing Pap smears every three years will require that physicians also do a decent job of monitoring patients and helping remind them of when Pap smears are due, as patients are less likely to remember a Pap smear check up over a three year period than they are to remember one on an annual basis.
If you are interested in learning more about your risk for cervical cancer or the possibility of receiving less frequent Pap smears, by sure to consult with your obstetrician/gynecologist.
Remember that annual exams are still a vital component of your overall health and well being as a woman. During your annual exam you can discuss any health concerns or other physical changes you might be experiencing with your physician.
If you have any risk factors for cervical cancer including frequent unprotected intercourse with different partners, a lowered immune system or other diseases, it is important that you continue receiving annual Pap smears to detect any potential precancerous cells early on.
Early detection is essential for prevention of severe forms of cervical cancer.
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