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Now Panel Urges Delay in Pap Test

Docs' group advises later start, every 2 years for cervical cancer test

By Emily Rauhala,  Newser User

Posted Nov 20, 2009 7:35 AM CST | Updated Nov 20, 2009 7:46 AM CST
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(Newser) – The screening cutbacks continue. Just days after the government announced more conservative guidelines for mammograms, a major medical body says women should begin having Pap smears for cervical cancer later and less frequently. The new guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say women don't need to be tested until age 21, even if they are sexually active earlier, and women of all ages should wait two years, instead of one, between tests.




Anticipating anger over the change, a Cancer Society rep tells the Los Angeles Times the revision is "not motivated to save money." In the case of cervical cancer, less testing is required because the disease progresses slowly, and precancerous cells often remain unchanged or go away, researchers say. But doctors worry that without the test, women may skip their annual check-up.

New guidelines say American women should have fewer Pap smears.
New guidelines say American women should have fewer Pap smears.   (Shutter Stock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 19 comments
riffran
Nov 21, 2009 1:07 AM CST
took care of a 21 year old who in addition to having a raging case of PID, had venereal warts...was told in the ER..."somethings growing on your cervix..you need to schedule a PAP...her gyno said to young you will be fine...dead at 23
godawgs
Nov 20, 2009 11:00 AM CST
just in the last two days...
Snarfeh
Nov 20, 2009 5:08 AM CST
Did I miss something? Did we transition from the war on terrorism to a war on women?

 
cancer • health • cervical cancer • gynecology • Pap smear • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists • older women • Pap smear guidelines

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