I was just curious to find out if any (or how many) of you have been told by your gynecologists that as long as you've never had an abnormal result you now only need a pap smear every 3 years. At my last visit a few months ago, that's what I was told. I was also told I could request one yearly if I wanted (I'll have to check into insurance coverage for that), but if I didn't request it, I would only be given the test every 3 years. I think about a few friends I know who had never had abnormal pap smear results -until they DID -and they had pre-cancerous and in one case cancerous cervical cells. If they had waited until they had some sort of symptoms, who knows how out of control it may have gotten? I don't know -just curious to see if this is the new nation-wide trend and policy everyone is hearing about or not. Especially as I age, I'm all for preventative testing that can catch things very early on instead of after they've become a problem.
Thank you all for your answers! I appreciate the input. I kind of agree with the idea that since they're doing a pelvic exam anyway -why not do a pap smear? Thanks ladies!
Yes, same here. I think once you're married and have a stable sexual history for many years, the risk really drops so every three years is fine.
My dr said 2 years as long as you are in a married or monogamous (sp?) relationship, and have had normal paps for 5 years.
I think mine told me once every 2 years, not three. But I am over 40, so maybe that is the reason for the difference?
it's probably true. the country is trying to find a reasonable balance between skyrocketing costs (partially because of unnecessary 'just in case' testing) and sensible preventative medicine.
i pay out of pocket to get thermography every couple of years rather than X-rays. if it turns up anything iffy i'll get traditional check-ups done.
for PAP smears i think that women of childbearing years who have no history of problems and never had an abnormal result are fine to go 2 or 3 years inbetween. but i'm sure you can get it done more often and not pay exorbitantly if you want more frequent testing.
khairete
S.
The federal government issued a guidance document several years ago indicating that annual pap smears for those who are considered "low risk" were not necessary, but many insurance companies will still cover them if your doctor feels that you should have the test done.
Realistically, the rate of ovarian and cervical cancer in young women is very low, as are other non-STD conditions. It's up to your doctor, so talk with him/her about it. If you are high-risk (older and things run in your family) than it's not an issue. If you are not at-risk then you probably don't need an annual pap smear if you are having a complete internal annually.
Yes, my dr said ad long as I've never had an abnormal pap that I only need one every 2 years...
I was told every other year about 2 years back. Didn't have one last year and just had one 2 weeks ago. Not sure if age or health history plays a factor in the new rules or not?
My doctor told me that "they" now recommend only 3 years, BUT he did say that as long as insurance pays for it every year HE recomends that you get it, because you never know when "they" will change their minds again. As long as its not invasive or risky and its covered, its better to get it checked.
i was told that its every 3 now because its NOT healthy to have it done every year if you have never had an abnormal one and are under 30
I just had mine done and wasn't told that. I did know that but I have to have my bc pills filled every year anyway. I would rather have one done every year as I have a high cancer history in my family and want to try to catch anything early.
Now that you mention it, I do believe my doctor said something to that effect at my last visit, which was last March so I'll be going in again soon...
But I think what he told me was that they are testing women for HPV, and if you test negative for HPV (a leading cause of cervical cancer), then it may not be necessary to have a pap every year. I did test negative, so I'd fall in that category...
I'm not totally sure what he said, but I will ask again about this on my next visit.
My regular physician told me that the new recommendation is that women under a certain age and whom have never had abnormalities should now get a pap smear once every 2 years.
Yep I was told this too....but also since I am still having kiddos (currently prego), they do them when you are prego ANYWAY because hormones in pregnancy can cause cell changes that would not otherwise happen. So, even though I wasn't due for 2 MORE years, they did one after a year. I personally think they should stay with the annual! I know people who have had precancerous cells and cell changes over a 6 MONTH period!
My doc told me every 2 last time I discussed it with her. I do believe I read something recently that it would now be every 3. I'm sure it has a lot to do with case load. You can always opt to pay for an office visit if you want one inbetween what your insurance carrier provides. I prefer the every 3 year thing for myself. paps have always been such and inconvenience to me.
This has a lot to do with the health care changes that are in process for America. We are making room for those who have never been able to go have a pap smear before and now they are eligible.
My OBGYN told me the same thing (2-3 years) BUT that is only if you have had tests that returned back normal for a couple of years in a row.
Mine told me that last year and I was just as shocked as you. I am going to ask her for one this year and every year. My Grandmother died of some kind of female cancer. I don't know what though since she was young and she never told her children what she had.
Just went and the doc said see you next year.
My doctor did not tell me that in January when I had mine done.
What your phsician suggested does NOT sound like it's in your best interest. You should call your insurance provider and/or another physician for a second opinion. I get a pap EVERY year & have never been told anything different by my primary care nor my OB/GYN.
Yes, I was just informed of this by my doctor, too -- every 3 years.
Just had one and my doc didn't say anything like that to me. If insurance doesn't pay for yearly since the doc is only "requiring" one every three years and you are uncomfortable with waiting three years, try finding a different doc who "requires" yearly tests. Ask your current obgyn why the change and they should be able to explain it. Good luck.
Regardless, I will get an annual every year...even if it's out of pocket.
I just saw my doctor last month. She did not tell me this. In the past, I have had 2 abnormal ones, but after further testing, I was fine. So I am not sure. From what I know, I still need to have them yearly.
I asked my obgyn about this and she said she might as well do the PAP since she has to do the annual cervical exam in order to give me a birth control prescription anyway. It really annoys me that I have to go through unnecessary testing just to get hold of a birth-control prescription. As far as I am concerned, they should be OTC anyway. It seems to me as if it's done too frequently as a money-making scheme.
That is the new recommendation, here is a link to the ACOG statement. Especially if you have a neg HPV test, every 2-3 years (depending on your age) is just as effective as annual testing. Of course, these are just guidelines, if you and/or your doctor feel that annual testing is right for you then you should do that.
http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases...
