Report: Most Women Can Get Paps Every 3 to 5 Years

A Gynecology Specialists note: The Virginian-Pilot ran an Associated Press article titled “Report: Most women can get Paps every 3 to 5 years,” covering new cervical cancer screening guidelines. Our GYN doctors agree with the guidelines and for some time now have done less frequent than annual Pap smears in certain women.

The one point we at Gynecology Specialists would like to make is that although women may not need a Pap smear every year, they still need an annual Gyn exam, which includes a breast exam; a pelvic exam to detect any vulvar, cervical, uterine, or ovarian pathology like vulvar lesions, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and infections; and screening for sexually transmitted infections. The well-woman visit has always been more than just a “Pap smear,” and the decreased need for cervical screening actually constitutes a minor change to an important aspect of a woman’s health care.

What the guidelines say

The AP reported that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued guidelines saying most women can wait three to five years between checks for cervical cancer, depending on their age and test choice. For women ages 21 to 29 whose Paps show no sign of trouble, a Pap test every three years is recommended. For healthy women ages 30 to 65, the preferred check is a Pap plus a test for the cancer-causing HPV virus — and if both show everything is fine, they can wait five years for further screening.

The guidelines aligned with advice issued earlier that year by a government panel, the American Cancer Society and other medical groups, reflecting growing consensus that it is safe for the right women to wait longer between Paps. Cervical cancer grows slowly enough that regular screening can find signs early enough to treat before a tumor even forms. The guidelines also noted that women 30 and older can still choose a Pap alone every three years, that screening shouldn’t begin before age 21, and that women older than 65 can end screening if previous testing hasn’t found problems.

If you are due for a Pap smear, annual GYN exam, cervical cancer screening, breast exam, or pelvic exam, please contact our GYN clinic at (757) 312-8221. Our GYN doctors are here to help you.